Via Zagazola Makama

Facts have emerged as to why the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Kaduna-based social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, popularly known as Sultan.

According to Zagazola Makama, Sultan was arrested on Sept. 27 at Layin Dan-Masani, Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area, following a formal complaint that he used phishing social media accounts to harass and extort a citizen.

According to Zagazola Makama, Muhammad allegedly created fake accounts with the handles @OZugwai40986 on X (formerly Twitter) and @Zugwai75 on Instagram, which he used to threaten the complainant and demand payment through a crypto wallet and a Point of Sales (POS) account.

The complainant, who feared for his life and that of his family, also accused Sultan of using other catfish accounts to lure him to an undisclosed location, raising suspicion of a kidnap attempt.

Zagazola Makama disclosed that Sultan deleted the accounts when he realised the DSS was closing in on him, but cyber experts of the Service were able to recover them from his phone.

Zagazola Makama added that investigators found digital footprints, payment evidence and conversations linking him directly to the alleged cybercrime, which will be presented in court.

Zagazola Makama stressed that Sultan’s arrest had no political undertone, insisting that the Service was only concerned with safeguarding ordinary citizens from online criminals.

“This is purely a cybercrime case. The Service is interested in protecting citizens, not politics,”Zagazola Makama said.

Nevertheless, Sultan’s arrest has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with some of his supporters claiming political persecution, while others backed the DSS, saying the evidence must be tested in court.

As at press time, arrangements were ongoing to arraign Muhammad before a competent court on charges of cybercrime, extortion and threats to life.

ENDS