Sheikh Tijjani: I Was Not Arrested By DSS

A renowned Islamic cleric and Kaduna State governorship aspirant under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, has denied reports that he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) following a visit by the Labour Party 2023  presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

The clarification came after Obi, in a post on his X page yesterday, alleged that Umar was arrested after hosting him in Kaduna last Sunday.

The post went viral, sparking concern among Obi’s supporters and civil society groups.

In a video that circulated hours after Obi’s post, Tijjani refuted the claim, insisting that he was neither arrested nor mistreated. He explained that he was only invited for questioning and has since been released.

“I was not detained by the DSS. I was invited for questioning. I cooperated fully and I was released. I am free, safe and well,” Umar said in video posted on social media yesterday.

Tijjani Umar also appealed to Kaduna residents to remain calm and law-abiding, “I want to appeal to all citizens of Kaduna to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. Do not take the law into your hands. On El-Rufai’s case, let us exercise patience and allow the law to take its due course” he said.