Some operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have stormed the residence of the President of the Bokkos Youths Support Association (BOYSA), Samaila Kaigama, in a fresh crackdown linked to his ongoing detention.
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, confirmed this in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, noting that heavily armed DSS operatives invaded Kaigama’s home in two Hilux vehicles at about 4pm.
According to Sowore, the operatives searched the entire house in an attempt to obtain evidence to prosecute the BOYSA president but reportedly left empty-handed.
“Lawless @OfficialDSSNG operatives today stormed the home of BOYSA President, Samaila Kaigama at about 4 p.m. in two Hilux vehicles, heavily armed, and proceeded to ransack the house,” Sowore wrote.
He added, “According to Samaila, they chained his legs during the operation and searched the entire premises, insisting they needed evidence to charge him to court. Despite the exhaustive search, they reportedly found nothing.”
Sowore further alleged that Kaigama has continued to endure inhumane treatment while in the custody of the secret police.
According to him, the detained BOYSA president claimed DSS operatives had denied him food and forced him to drink water from a toilet in an effort to coerce him into surrendering evidence allegedly in his possession.
“Samaila also disclosed that he has continued to suffer severe maltreatment in DSS custody,” Sowore said.
“He alleged that he has been denied food and forced to drink water from the toilet, all in an effort to pressure him into surrendering evidence in his possession.”
Sowore stated that Kaigama had refused to yield to the alleged pressure, insisting that any evidence in his possession would only be presented before a court after he is formally charged.
The Department of State Services has not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported concerns over Kaigama’s detention, with rights advocates demanding that the DSS either charge him to court or release him in accordance with the law.
SaharaReporters had on Thursday reported that Kaigama was arrested on Wednesday in Abuja under circumstances that stirred concerns among rights advocates over an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Confirming the arrest on Thursday, Sowore disclosed that a lawyer from the law firm of Deji Adeyanju was sent to the DSS headquarters to meet Kaigama but was denied access.
According to Sowore, the lawyer waited for more than an hour before DSS operatives refused him access to both Kaigama and the agency’s premises, forcing him to leave without seeing his client.
“Kaigama recently made serious allegations on Channels Television regarding alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram terrorists. His arrest appears intended to silence him. It will not happen.
“Nigeria is fast becoming a complete banana republic, where security agencies operate with utter disregard for the rule of law and the rights of citizens.”
Kaigama’s arrest comes shortly after his appearance on Channels Television, during which he made allegations regarding alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram terrorists.
(SaharaReporters)