JUST IN: DSS Detains Mahdi Shehu Over Alleged Misleading Video

Renowned activist and political commentator Mahdi Shehu, based in Kaduna, has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations linked to a controversial video deemed a potential threat to national security.

According to Zagazola Makama, a prominent counterinsurgency expert specializing in the Lake Chad region, Shehu was taken into custody over the weekend after the video circulated widely on social media, sparking concerns about its sensitive content.

Shehu recently accused the federal government of establishing a French military base in Nigeria’s northeast. He also shared videos purportedly showing Nigerian and French troops unloading supplies in a coordinated operation. Despite deleting the video, it had already gained significant traction online.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, accused Shehu of spreading false information using outdated footage, claiming he sought to incite unrest in Northern Nigeria. Dada urged citizens to remain vigilant against fake news.

Makama reported on Monday that Shehu is being held in DSS custody in Kaduna and may soon face legal proceedings. Sources suggest he will be charged with disseminating outdated footage that allegedly misrepresented government activities in the North-West. Authorities have assured that his rights will be respected during his detention.

Additionally, Shehu’s legal history includes a prior arrest for attempted extortion, as previously disclosed by former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.