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By Oscar Okhifo
A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Umar, has debunked reports of his alleged arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS), countering claims made by former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, after a recent visit to the state.
The controversy was triggered by a post from Obi on Tuesday via his X handle, where he claimed that Umar had been arrested shortly after hosting him during a visit to Kaduna on Sunday.
The allegation quickly spread, drawing reactions from members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political actors.
In response, Umar appeared in a viral video hours later, dismissing the claim as false and misleading.
He maintained that he was neither arrested nor harassed by any security agency, insisting that he remains safe and unharmed.
“I was not arrested. I am safe and going about my normal activities,” Umar said, seeking to dispel the reports circulating online.
Amid conflicting claims, observers have called on Obi to clarify the source of his information and explain why he believed the cleric had been arrested.
Supporters and members of his political fold are also urged to prevail on him to clear any lingering doubts surrounding the claim.
The development has sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some users questioning the origin of the report, while others cautioned against spreading unverified information.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Department of State Services nor representatives of the ADC had issued an official statement clarifying the situation.
The incident underscores the growing concern over misinformation in Nigeria’s political space, especially in the age of rapid social media communication.