Political commentator, Mahdi Shehu allegedly arrested by security operatives again

Security personnel, suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS), have allegedly arrested Kaduna-based activist and political commentator Mahdi Shehu. 

According to Daily Trust, Shehu was apprehended at his clinic in Unguwar Dosa around 11:00 a.m. by plainclothes operatives.

There has been no official statement from the security agencies regarding the arrest. The publication, however, reported that Shehu’s son, Buhari Mahdi, confirmed the incident, stating that the family had yet to establish contact with his father. He added, “We don’t know if it was an arrest or an invitation. But they (DSS) picked him up at his clinic in Unguwar Dosa, Kaduna, around 11:00 a.m.” He declined to provide further details.

This development follows Shehu’s previous arrest in December 2024, when he was charged in court for sharing a misleading video on social media. The Kaduna State High Court later granted him bail on January 9, 2025, setting it at ₦3 million with the requirement of two prominent clerics as sureties.

The latest arrest occurred just days after Shehu publicly addressed his supporters regarding his legal troubles. Over the weekend, he expressed gratitude for the support he received during his previous arrest and detention, which lasted 12 days. In a series of tweets, he acknowledged those who were concerned and prayerful, as well as those who criticized him.

“During my arrest, detention, and incarceration spanning 12 days, I have a duty and obligation to thank the following classes of people. Those who were genuinely worried, concerned, supportive, and prayerful. I felt your prayers, and they served the purposes they were meant for,” Shehu tweeted.

He also extended his thanks to critics, describing them as people who “embolden” him, and to those who remained indifferent, stating they might eventually take a stand as victims or villains.