By Amah
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Ahmad Umar, Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has debunked claims that he was arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, after hosting former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, Umar clarified that he was never detained and that his engagement with security operatives was routine questioning. “I want to correct the false reports circulating in some quarters. I was invited for questioning, I cooperated fully, and I have been released. I am safe and well,” he said.
The cleric’s rebuttal comes after Obi’s post on X (formerly Twitter) alleged that Umar’s detention was a worrying signal of threats to freedom of speech in Nigeria, raising concerns about the state of democracy in Kaduna and across the country.
Umar urged his supporters and the broader Kaduna community to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. He warned against unrest or unlawful actions carried out in his name and emphasised that all civic concerns should be channeled through democratic and legal means.
He also referenced ongoing legal matters, involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appealing for patience and restraint.
“Citizens should channel their concerns through the electoral process and lawful avenues rather than through agitation or conflict,” Umar added.
The incident highlights the delicate relationship between politics, security, and public perception in Nigeria. Allegations of clerical arrests, whether true or false, can rapidly escalate online, feeding narratives about political intimidation and democratic decline. Umar’s clarification serves to correct misinformation while reinforcing the importance of peaceful civic engagement.
