By Dennis Okechukwu
A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Umar, has dismissed reports alleging that he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) after hosting former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In a viral video released on Tuesday, Umar clarified that he was neither arrested nor mistreated, explaining that he was only invited for questioning by security operatives and was subsequently released.
“I want to correct the false reports circulating in some quarters. I was not detained by the DSS. I was invited for questioning, I cooperated fully, and I have been released. I am safe and well,” he said.
The cleric also urged his supporters and residents of Kaduna to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, warning against any form of unrest or unlawful actions carried out in his name.
He further appealed for patience regarding ongoing legal matters involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, encouraging citizens to channel their concerns through democratic means, particularly the electoral process.
Umar’s statement comes in response to claims made earlier by Obi, who had alleged in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the cleric was arrested shortly after hosting him during a visit to Kaduna.
Obi described the alleged detention as a worrying indicator of democratic decline, expressing concerns over what he termed increasing threats to freedom of speech and political expression in the country.
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