A popular Kaduna social media influencer, Abubakar Muhammad has been arrested for alleged cybercrime by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Several social media influencers had over the weekend raised the alarm that Muhammad, also known as Sultan, was arrested by unnamed security agents.
His arrest created a storm on social media, with some supporters of his accusing the Kaduna State government of masterminding his arrest. Some, however, cautioned against making hasty conclusions, advising that the true picture would emerge.
A top security source disclosed on Sunday that DSS operatives arrested Sultan on Saturday at Layin Dan-Masani, Rigachikun, in Igabi Local Government Area.
The source disclosed that his arrest came on the heels of a formal complaint that the influencer was using phishing social media accounts to harass and extort a citizen.
According to the source, Muhammad allegedly created fake accounts with the handles @OZugwai40986 on X (formerly Twitter) and @Zugwai75 on Instagram, which he used to threaten the complainant. He allegedly demanded payment through a crypto wallet and a Point of Sales (POS) account, which the source added, was intercepted by the DSS.
The complainant, whom the source disclosed, was scared that Sultan could harm him and his family, also accused the influencer of using other catfish accounts to lure him to an undisclosed location, raising suspicion he could be kidnapped.
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The source further disclosed that, on suspecting that he was being tailed by the DSS, the influencer hurriedly deleted all the catfish accounts.
“Fortunately, cyber experts of the DSS were able to recover the accounts from his phone,” added the source.
He continued , “DSS cyber experts found digital footprints, payment evidence and conversations linking him directly to the alleged cybercrime, which will be presented in court.
The source explained that Sultan’s arrest had no political undertone, insisting that the DSS was only concerned with safeguarding ordinary citizens from online criminals.
“This is purely a cybercrime case. The Service is interested in protecting citizens, not politicians,” the security source declared.
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