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SSS finally confirms keeping ‘Dawisu’ in custody

There were fears that Mr. Yakasai could also disappear into thin air just like another critic of government, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

• February 27, 2021
Salihu Tanko-Yakasai
Salihu Tanko-Yakasai (Credit: Twitter)

Authoritieses of the State Security Services have confirmed that Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former aide of Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje is in their custody.

The announcement follows heightened apprehension in the polity following the declaration by the Kano office of the SSS that it was not aware of the arrest of Mr. Yakasai, otherwise known as Dawisu on Twitter.

The whereabouts of Mr. Yakasai who was picked in a Gestapo style became a subject of controversy as the government initially kept mum on the arrest. 

Commentators on social media feared that Mr. Yakasai could also disappear into thin air just like another critic of government, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata who was reportedly picked by state agents and his whereabouts remaining unknown 574 days after.

However, a statement by Peter Afunanya, SSS spokesman, on Saturday evening has now affirmed that the APC faithful-turned-critic is being held in their facility.

“This is to confirm that Salihu Tanko-Yakasai is with the Department of State Services. He is being investigated over issues beyond the expression of opinions in the social media as wrongly alleged by sections of the public,” the statement reads.

Mr. Yakasai had called for the resignation of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government over gross breakdown of security in the wake of the abduction of over 300 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara.

The tweet that triggered government’s swoop on Mr. Yakasai read: “Clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign.”

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