DSS admits arresting for Kano State special adviser who criticised Buhari over his security failings

DEPARTMENT of  State Services (DSS) officials have finally admitted that they are detaining Salihu Tanko Yakasai a former special assistant to the Kano State governor who was recently sacked just for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari's record on security.

Mr Yakasai, who was Governor Abdullahi Ganduje's special assistant on media affairs, recently criticised the federal government following the abduction of 317 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Jangebe in Zamfara State. He pointed out that the federal government has failed Nigeria when it comes to providing security, for which he was sacked and then later arrested.

“Clearly, we as the APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number one duty we were elected to do, which is to secure lives and properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land, which is a shame. President Buhari should deal with terrorists decisively or resign,” Mr Yakasai had tweeted.

His father Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum later confirmed that his son was being held by the DSS. After denying it for several days, the DSS has now admitted holding Mt Yakasai, claiming it is for another offence unrelated to his criticism of the government.

DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said: “This is to confirm that Salihu Tanko Yakasai is with the Department of State Services. He is being investigated over issues beyond the expression of opinions in the social media as wrongly alleged by sections of the public.”

Apparently, Mr Yakasai was arrested on his way to a barbers shop, although his father said he did not know if his son is being held in Kano or has been taken elsewhere. His father is one of the most persecuted politicians in the history of Nigerian political activism, as he has been  subjected to arrests and detentions on 10 different occasions.