Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — A Nigerian mother, Hauwa’u Abubakar, has publicly decried the prolonged detention of her son by the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that he has been held for nearly two years without trial, formal charges or access by family members, according to an exclusive report. The mother’s grievance has drawn attention to concerns about due process, detention practices and human rights protections in the country.
Mrs. Abubakar told journalists in Abuja that her son, Adam Abubakar, was apparently arrested by DSS operatives in Taraba State and subsequently transferred to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, where he has remained in custody since early 2024. She said she only learned of his continued detention through other detainees who were later released and informed her that he was being held in a facility known locally as Old Echo. Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the DSS were reportedly frustrated as the agency did not disclose his arrest to family members at the time.
According to the account obtained by Sahara Reporters, Adam’s detention has persisted without any formal charges or arraignment before a court of law. Sources quoted in the report said that while in detention, DSS officials allegedly linked Adam to “inciting statements” during past communal unrest in Jos, Plateau State, based on alleged phone monitoring, but no formal indictment has been issued. Despite these allegations, the detained man has not been presented in open court, allowed access to legal representation, or permitted family visitation during the nearly two‑year period.
Mrs. Abubakar said she has repeatedly petitioned the DSS to be granted access to her son, writing formal letters to the agency’s headquarters. In a letter dated January 26, 2026, she appealed for “compassion” from the service and requested to see him, but said she received no substantive response beyond acknowledgement of receipt. She subsequently wrote a second letter on February 3, 2026, accusing the DSS of effectively “kidnapping” her son by detaining him without charge and denying her access in violation of his constitutional rights. In that letter, she warned that she would pursue legal action if her access requests and his release were not addressed.
Human rights advocates have cited the case as symptomatic of broader concerns over administrative detention and the rights of suspects in Nigeria. Under the Nigerian Constitution and international legal norms, individuals detained by state security agencies are generally entitled to be brought before a court within a specified period, be informed of the charges against them and have access to legal counsel and family visitation. Critics argue that prolonged detention without these safeguards undermines the rule of law, even where security concerns are invoked.
The DSS has not issued a public statement responding to the specific allegations in Mrs. Abubakar’s letters or the recent news reports. Attempts to reach the agency for comment were not successful at the time of reporting. Traditionally, the DSS has maintained that its operations are sensitive and may involve security considerations that influence public communication, but it has also faced criticism from civil liberties groups when transparency about detentions is lacking.
Civil society organisations and legal observers stress that the state’s obligations include ensuring that accused persons are charged promptly, that detention does not become premature punishment, and that families are kept informed to prevent ambiguity and distress. In previous cases involving security‑related detentions, courts and human rights bodies have intervened to enforce constitutional protections when due process has been circumvented.
For Mrs. Abubakar, the disquiet over her son’s ongoing detention has been acutely personal. Standing in Abuja, she has described her journey from her hometown to pursue justice, her attempts to communicate with DSS officials, and her fears for her son’s wellbeing after nearly two years in undisclosed custody. Her case has resonated with other families who say they have faced similar challenges in accessing detained relatives and seeking accountability when charges are not promptly filed.
As the matter continues to unfold, the absence of formal charges and public clarifications raises questions about procedural safeguards and oversight mechanisms for national security detentions in Nigeria. Advocates say transparent legal processes are crucial not only for individual rights but also for public confidence in law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The national discourse on balancing security imperatives with civil liberties may be further shaped by developments in this and similar cases.
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