- Johnson Ankeli Shaibu claims the DSS has unlawfully detained his brother, Ngbende Muhammed Shaibu, for over six months without charges
- He demands accountability, stating the DSS has refused to provide information about his brother’s condition since the arrest in January
Johnson Ankeli Shaibu, a gospel singer, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of detaining his elder brother, Ngbende Muhammed Shaibu, for over six months “for no just cause.”
While addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Johnson recounted how masked men arrested Ngbende and their nephew, Friday Audu, at their residence in the Gwako area of Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on January 31, 2024. He said it later became clear that these masked men were DSS operatives when Audu was released after two months in detention.
Johnson explained that since the arrest, DSS operatives have allegedly refused to grant access to Ngbende or provide any information about his condition. He said, “Some masked men with Hilux vehicles 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.”
He continued, “Two months later, my nephew was released. It was then we knew they were DSS. 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.”
A lawyer, Ifeanyichukwu Nweze, called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intervene. He said, “The government should please step in and assist the family. Ngbende should be released, or they should take him to court if he has committed any crime.