DSS Arrests, Grills Critics of Governor Uba Sani Over Radio Interview
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested and interrogated several individuals critical of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani following a controversial radio interview that has heightened political tensions in the state.
The arrests come after a recent interview aired on Freedom Radio Kaduna in which former Governor Nasir El-Rufai accused his successor, Uba Sani, of mismanaging state funds. El-Rufai alleged that local government allocations had been diverted under the current administration to acquire properties abroad, including in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
The explosive claims have further fueled a growing rift between the two political heavyweights within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the interview, several of El-Rufai’s loyalists and outspoken critics of Governor Sani reportedly came under scrutiny by the DSS.
Among those detained was Aisha Galadima, a prominent APC member and ally of El-Rufai, who was arrested after posting a Facebook message critical of the governor. Galadima has since been released, but civil society groups say her arrest marks a troubling pattern of political intimidation.
Sources indicate that other individuals, including radio commentators, student activists, and local political figures, were also either detained or questioned in connection with public remarks critical of the governor. Though the DSS has not issued a formal statement, rights activists and political analysts have condemned the actions, accusing the security agency of being used to suppress dissent.
Governor Uba Sani has denied any involvement in the arrests, saying he was unaware of the developments and referring inquiries to the DSS. His Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, also distanced the governor from the matter. Governor Sani, however, has continued to warn against what he calls the politicization of security issues, stating that any attempts to undermine the peace and stability of the state would be dealt with firmly.
The crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and human rights organizations, many of whom say the actions of the DSS threaten democratic freedoms and the right to free expression.
Some have called on the National Assembly to investigate the matter and ensure that security agencies are not being weaponized for political purposes.
As political tensions escalate in Kaduna, observers warn that the growing feud between El-Rufai and Sani could have broader implications for the state’s stability and the future of the APC in the region.
