Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: John. O
ABUJA, Nigeria — June 20, 2026 — The family of Hausa activist and social media commentator, Ibrahim Bichi, has called for his immediate and unconditional release, alleging that he has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for two weeks without access to his family or information about the reason for his detention.
The family’s concerns were made public on June 20, 2026, following a report by Saturday PUNCH, where Bichi’s wife, Hauwa Mundi, said the activist was allegedly arrested after reporting to the DSS headquarters in Abuja on June 2, 2026.
According to Mundi, Bichi had been unable to communicate with his family since his detention, raising concerns about his wellbeing and legal rights.
She alleged that the DSS did not notify relatives about his arrest and that the family only later discovered that he was being held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
“My husband was invited to the DSS headquarters in Abuja on June 2 and has remained in custody since then,” Mundi said in an earlier Facebook post referenced in the report.
She claimed that the continued detention was connected to her husband’s social media activities and public commentary on issues affecting Northern Nigeria.
Mundi described Bichi as a social critic whose advocacy focuses on Hausa identity, dignity, and social issues affecting communities in the region. She alleged that his online activities were the reason for his arrest.
“His arrest is not unrelated to his social media activities, since he is a law-abiding citizen,” she said, adding that the family believed a petition from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) led to the DSS action.
She further alleged that Bichi had faced threats in the past because of his public commentary and expressed fears over his health and safety while in detention.
The family warned that legal action could be considered if authorities failed to explain the basis for the continued detention or release him.
Bichi, popularly known on social media as Bishiia Maisango, has been vocal on online platforms about issues concerning Hausa communities, security challenges, governance, and social concerns.
However, the DSS has rejected suggestions that it detains individuals arbitrarily and defended its actions regarding the activist.
Speaking on June 20, 2026, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the agency operates within legal procedures and would not hold anyone without proper authorisation.
“The DSS, under the dispensation of our Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, will never detain somebody without a detention order,” Dozie said.
She advised Bichi’s family to formally communicate with the agency regarding their concerns, stating that their complaint would receive attention.
Dozie added that the DSS would investigate the matter and, if necessary, take the case before a court.
“The agency will investigate the matter and charge him to court,” she said.
While defending the detention, the DSS spokesperson did not disclose the specific allegations against Bichi or provide a timeline for when he might appear before a court.
She said the agency does not arrest people without cause and suggested that any action taken would relate to matters considered serious enough to attract national security attention.
The controversy has renewed public discussion about the balance between national security operations and citizens’ constitutional rights, particularly regarding freedom of expression, lawful detention, and access to due process.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly raised concerns over prolonged detention without clear communication, while security agencies have maintained that investigations into sensitive matters sometimes require confidentiality.
As of June 20, 2026, the DSS had not publicly released details of the allegations against Bichi, and the family continued to demand his release or formal legal action if authorities had evidence against him.
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