Fresh details have emerged on why operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Kaduna-based social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, popularly known as Sultan.
A top security source told Vanguard that Sultan was picked up on September 27 at Layin Dan-Masani, Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a formal petition accusing him of cyber harassment and extortion.
According to the source, Muhammad allegedly ran fake social media accounts with the handles @OZugwai40986 on X (formerly Twitter) and @Zugwai75 on Instagram. He allegedly used these accounts to threaten a complainant and demand payments through a crypto wallet and a Point of Sales (POS) account.
The complainant, who claimed to fear for his life and that of his family, further alleged that Sultan operated several catfish accounts to lure him to an undisclosed location, raising suspicion of a kidnap attempt.
Investigations revealed that Sultan deleted the accounts after learning that the DSS was closing in on him. However, cyber experts from the Service reportedly retrieved the accounts from his phone.
The operatives also recovered digital footprints, payment trails, and chat records allegedly linking him directly to the crimes, which are expected to form part of the prosecution evidence in court.
The source stressed that Sultan’s arrest was not politically motivated but strictly tied to cybercrime allegations.
“This is purely a cybercrime case. The Service is interested in protecting citizens, not politics,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Sultan’s detention has sparked a storm of reactions online. While his supporters insist he is being persecuted for political reasons, others argue that the matter should be tested in court based on available evidence.
As of press time, arrangements were underway to arraign Sultan before a competent court on charges bordering on cybercrime, extortion, and threats to life.
