Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a notable activist from Kano, Zubair Zubair.
Zubair, known for his outspoken criticism of the administration led by President Bola Tinubu, was allegedly detained in Kano and subsequently taken to Abuja.
In response to this incident, Barrister Harun Magashi, the attorney representing Zubair, disclosed that the DSS has moved his client to the Nigerian Police Headquarters in Abuja.
“Zubair was arrested yesterday by the DSS in Kano. Initially, he was held by the DSS, but they handed him over to the police in Abuja,” Channels Television quoted Magashi to have explained.
When asked about the reason for the arrest, Magashi stated, “We are yet to confirm the charges against him. However, we suspect it is connected to his active participation in the End Bad Governance protests and his outspoken stance against the current administration.”
Also commenting on the development, another activist and close associate, Nura Muhammad, said: “Zubair has been fearless in his advocacy for the people and has consistently criticized the policies of the Tinubu administration. His arrest does not come as a surprise, but it is a clear attack on free speech.”
Naija News reports that Zubair is a prominent figure within the Take It Back Movement, an organization recognized for its leadership in activism and civic engagement across Nigeria.
At the time of this report, attempts to obtain comments from the DSS and the Police Headquarters have not yielded results.
The activist community in Kano and other regions has urgently demanded Zubair’s release, expressing serious concerns regarding his safety and the increasing repression of dissent in the nation.