The State Security Service has arrested a Kaduna-based social media influencer popularly known as Sarkin Sultan, for allegedly blackmailing ladies with nudes online. 

The influencer was nabbed on Saturday following a series of petitions against him, according to a report by a security analyst, Zagozola Makama.

The report said the SSS carried out the arrest after a female complainant alleged that Mr Sultan threatened to expose her private images on social media, prompting an investigation by security agencies.

It added that the influencer would be arraigned in court on Monday following the conclusion of the investigation into the development.

SSS could not be reached for comments on the development as their public lines were unreachable.

The development has triggered mixed reactions on X, as netizens condemned Mr Sultan for using social media to intimidate and harass people, while others accused SSS of bias.

A user, @A__Yabo wrote, “Sarki Sultan is no activist—he is a predator. For years, he hid behind the mask of ‘activism,’ using social media to bully, intimidate, and blackmail. His latest target, Hajiya Hafsatu, refused to be silenced. When he tried to blackmail her with private material, she sought legal protection, leading to his arrest and exposing his true nature.”

Another user, @flexiblenancy, said, “To those suggesting Sarki Sultan’s confession might be under duress, here are additional facts: He travelled somewhere, used someone’s POS to collect money from victims, and even used cryptocurrency, thinking it would anonymise his transactions, to collect dollars from them.”

“If these allegations are true, then the law must run its course. Evidence must be examined in court, and the accused deserves due process. Social media speculation shouldn’t replace legal proceedings, no matter how shocking the claims,” said @Emirexe.

Another user @xclusive wrote, “Smoke screen? How’s this a state security matter? An individual complaint of a threat to expose her image, and now it’s a matter for the DSS? And it warrants the invasion of his residence at 2am? And the terrorists, bandits roaming freely? What’s the role of the police?”

“The DSS can only address or investigate the issue if the cyber crime involves espionage, terrorism or other threats to national security. What happened to the Nigerian police force’s cybercrime unit?” @ahmadbala360 said.