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Amnesty International has condemned the arrest and continued detention of Borno South Youth Alliance President, Samaila Kaigama, calling on Nigerian authorities to either release him immediately, grant him access to lawyers, or arraign him before a court.
In a post shared on Facebook, the rights group expressed concern over what it described as Kaigama’s “arbitrary arrest” by the Department of State Services (DSS), following a television interview in which he made allegations about the worsening security crisis in Borno State and claimed ransom payments had been made to bandits and insurgents.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the arbitrary arrest of Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, a youth leader from Borno State, by the Department of State Services (DSS) after a television interview in which he made serious allegations regarding endemic security crisis in Borno State and allegations of ‘ransom payment to bandits and insurgents,'” the organisation said.
It questioned the circumstances surrounding his arrest, stating that “the way and manner he was arrested have been raising questions that must be answered.”
The organisation urged the authorities to respect Kaigama’s due process rights.
“Authorities must either release him, grant him access to lawyers or charge him to court,” Amnesty said.
The rights group also argued that the government should focus on investigating Kaigama’s claims rather than detaining him.
Amnesty further noted the broader security challenges facing northern Nigeria, adding that communities continue to face relentless attacks by armed groups.
“Across the north people have been living with consistent ruthless attacks by gunmen and insurgents. This had deprived millions of the rights to life and freedom of movement. Children have been abducted and deprived of education. Many rural communities have been razed and deserted. Millions of people have been displaced.”
Kaigama was arrested days after a televised interview in which he alleged that ransom payments were made to secure the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
He also accused Senator Ali Ndume of acting as an intermediary in the process.
Ndume has rejected the allegation, insisting he never participated in negotiations with kidnappers or handled ransom payments.
The Department of State Services has not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s statement or the allegations surrounding Kaigama’s detention.
