The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, following his appearance on a television programme where he made allegations about ransom payments to Boko Haram insurgents.
Kaigama was reportedly arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, a development that has sparked concerns from some rights advocates, who argue that the action may be linked to his recent public comments.
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stating that a lawyer from Deji Adeyanju’s law firm was sent to the DSS headquarters to meet Kaigama but was denied access.
According to Sowore, the lawyer waited for more than an hour before security operatives refused him entry into the facility and prevented him from seeing the detained youth leader.
Inside Borno State:
Sowore alleged that Kaigama’s arrest followed his interview on Channels Television, during which he raised claims regarding alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram. He argued that the arrest appeared aimed at silencing the youth leader over his remarks and criticised the DSS for denying legal access to the detainee.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not publicly commented on the arrest or the allegations surrounding the case.
The development has generated public attention, with observers calling for due process and clarity regarding the circumstances of Kaigama’s detention.
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