There are indications that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) may arrest and detain a political aide, Zakari Hassan, in Kwara State after he publicly criticised Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over killings in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Family members and associates of the aide disclosed this on Monday, alleging that the planned move followed a viral video in which he condemned the government’s response to deadly attacks in Woro and Nuku communities.
Sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters said Hassan, who serves as Special Assistant on Youths to the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Abdullahi, had earlier been arrested on the orders of his principal after posting the video on TikTok.
One of the sources said, “The local government chairman ordered the arrest of the S.A. Youth today because he protested over the killings in Woro and Nuku.
“He protested in a video he posted on social media, which went viral on TikTok, where he called on the government to protect the people of Kaiama.”
The aide was reportedly detained briefly before being released following pressure from local youths.
“They arrested him before, but he was released due to the intervention of the youths. It happened here in Kaiama,” another source said.
DSS Invitation Sparks Fresh Fears
However, sources claimed that the DSS had invited Hassan to its office, raising fears that he may be detained and moved to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
“They’ve invited him again. They said he should report to the DSS office today (Monday). We learned that they are plotting to detain him today and transfer him to Ilorin. This is on the orders of the Kwara State Government,” a source alleged.
Some associates also criticised what they described as attempts to shift responsibility onto the aide.
“The stupid part of it is that they told him to get the names of those killed and those kidnapped,” one source added.
Aide Criticises Government Response
In the viral video, Hassan criticised both federal and state authorities over what he described as their failure to address the security situation in Kaiama.
He said, “Actually, the topic I want to discuss this afternoon is so disheartening and heartbreaking. I am deeply disappointed in the government of Kwara State, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We shouted and continued to shout that Kaiama is not at peace.”
He also accused some political office holders of prioritising personal interests over truth.
“Some people, because of certain foolish positions… refuse to speak the truth,” he said.
The aide described the situation in the affected communities as dire, alleging large-scale killings and abductions.
“We saw what happened in Woro. About 200 people died. It was mass murder in a single day, with 176 people taken captive. We witnessed it,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as misleading reports about the scale of the attacks.
Hassan added, “Our media outlets… went on to report that only 75 people were affected… Allah commands that you speak the truth, even if it costs you your life, rather than live by lies.”
In the video, Hassan also directed sharp criticism at the Vice President and the Kwara State governor.
“Vice President, you are a disgrace to Nigeria. After this video, you can come and take me to Kirikiri. I am ready. Or come and kill me,” he said.
He also accused Governor AbdulRazaq of failing the people of the state.
Hassan added, “And to the governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, you are a disgrace to Kwara. They call you ‘Your Excellency.’ You are not an excellency. You are a disgrace.”