Johnson Ankeli Shaibu, a gospel singer, has publicly accused Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) of detaining his older brother, Ngbende Muhammed Shaibu, for more than six months without any legal justification. Johnson claims that his brother has been in custody since January 31, 2024, and the family has been denied any access to him.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Johnson recounted the events that led to his brother’s arrest. He explained that masked men, later identified as DSS operatives, stormed their residence in the Gwako area of Gwagwalada, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the night of January 31. The men also apprehended their nephew, Friday Audu, during the raid.
Johnson shared how the incident unfolded, saying, “Some masked men with Hilux stormed our house in Gwagwalada on January 31, 2024. I was not around when they came. Our nephew, Friday Audu, was with our blind mother when they came. Due to the shock, Audu ran out, and then they opened fire and shot him in the leg. They arrested him and my elder brother.”
Audu was eventually released after two months in custody, which is when the family learned that the masked men were DSS operatives. However, Johnson is deeply concerned about the fate of his brother, Ngbende, who has remained in detention without being charged or brought to court.
“Since January 31 till date, they have not charged my brother to court. I don’t even know if my brother is alive. If he has done anything wrong, we need to know. If he has done anything, they should take him to court. That is what the law says,” Johnson stated.
The situation has left the family in a state of anguish, uncertain about Ngbende’s condition or whereabouts. Johnson’s plea is simple: if his brother has committed a crime, he should be tried in court according to the law. If not, he should be released.
A lawyer, Ifeanyichukwu Nweze, has also appealed to the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to intervene in the matter. Nweze emphasized the need for justice and transparency, urging the DSS to either release Ngbende or charge him in court.
“The government should please step in and assist the family. Ngbende should be released or if he has committed any crime they should take him to court so that people will know where he is. If he’s dead, they should let his people know that he’s dead,” Nweze said.
Nweze also expressed concerns about the integrity of the DSS, suggesting that the organization might have been compromised.
“I also appeal that the DSS should look inward and reform itself because it is a very important organization in the country. You cannot overemphasize the importance of DSS, but with what we’re seeing, I think DSS may have been infiltrated because some operatives are doing self-service instead of state service,” he added.
Despite efforts to reach out to the DSS for a response, the agency’s spokesman, Peter Afunanya, has not replied to inquiries regarding Ngbende’s detention.