A former Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, Nasir Abdullahi Kuta, has been accused of allegedly using his connections with police officers to arrest, detain and intimidate people who criticise the state Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba.
Sources alleged that Kuta had been involved in several incidents targeting young people whose political views differ from those of the Deputy Governor and his political associates.
The latest alleged victim, Yusuf Sharhabil, was reportedly detained at Maitumbi Police Station on Monday, October 26, 2026, following a disagreement over a Facebook comment.
According to sources, Sharhabil had exchanged words with a Facebook user believed to support the Deputy Governor and the Niger State Government.
The disagreement reportedly escalated after the individual allegedly called and threatened Sarhabil over his comment.
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Two days later, Sharhabil reportedly received a all from the police station informing him that the other person had taken the matter to court and that it had been referred to the police for investigation.
Sources said Sharhabil apologised for his comment, but the other party allegedly refused to accept the apology.
They further alleged that Kuta influenced the decision to detain Sharhabil overnight through his connections with officers at the Maitumbi Police Division.
Although Kuta was not said to have personally arrested Sharhabil, sources accused him of allegedly working behind the scenes to facilitate his detention.
The sources also linked Kuta to the earlier arrest of Lawal Mu’azu-Obah, a former aide to the Niger State Deputy Governor.
Mu’azu-Obah was reportedly arrested after sharing a video showing young men chanting “Bamauyi”, a Hausa expression meaning “we will not do it”.
According to the sources, Kuta allegedly worked with police officers to have him arrested because of the perceived political meaning of the video.
Mu’azu-Obah was reportedly arrested during a raid on his residence around 1am on August 24, 2026. He was allegedly assaulted before being taken to the Maitumbi Police Division and later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters.
His mobile phone and that of his wife were also reportedly confiscated.
The earlier arrest was linked to his political activities, including his support for African Democratic Congress candidate for Shiroro Constituency, Dr Ibrahim Kuta, and his calls for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Sources further alleged that Kuta had threatened other individuals who opposed the political interests of his principal.
They claimed that about 10 people were being targeted, with two already detained, while eight others were allegedly at risk.
Another individual from Shiroro Local Government Area was also reportedly taken from his home at night in the presence of his wife over suspected political differences.
The allegations have raised concerns among residents about the possible use of security agencies to settle political disagreements and intimidate people expressing opposing views.
A source also accused Kuta of previously using tear gas against women during a disagreement in his neighbourhood.
The allegations come amid wider concerns over reported abuses involving security personnel in Niger State, including the recent incident in which 33 miners reportedly died from suffocation inside an NSCDC detention facility.
The sources called for an investigation into the allegations against Kuta, urging authorities to establish whether security personnel were being used to pursue political or personal interests.
Kuta was contacted for his response to the allegations, including claims that he influenced the detention of Sharhabil and Mu’azu-Obah. However, he did not answer calls or respond to a WhatsApp message before publication.
The Niger State NSCDC spokesperson, ASC II Yabagi Sayadi Ibrahim, also did not respond to calls or messages seeking the command’s reaction.
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