DSS arrests Mahdi Shehu over alleged fake viral video on French Military base

Kaduna-based activist and political commentator Mahdi Shehu has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of disseminating a misleading video with potential national security implications.

CABS World News correspondent gathered that the arrest occurred over the weekend after the video, which falsely claimed that the Nigerian government was planning to establish a French military base in the North-West, went viral on social media. Despite Shehu deleting the footage, it had already garnered significant attention online.

Sources revealed that Shehu is currently in custody in Kaduna and is expected to face court proceedings soon. While Zagazola could not independently verify the arrest, reports suggest that the viral video involved outdated footage misrepresented to inflame public sentiment.

Authorities are said to have issued directives for Shehu’s arraignment, emphasizing that his rights will be respected throughout the legal process.

This is not Shehu’s first encounter with law enforcement. He previously faced legal troubles, including an arrest over alleged attempted extortion, as explained by former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

“Shehu’s arrest is politically motivated, arising from his call for an investigation into former President Muhammadu Buhari and his associates,” his lawyer argued. However, Malami’s firm countered this claim, stating that Shehu was apprehended for extortion and other related offenses.

The DSS has yet to release an official statement on the arrest, but the case has sparked discussions about the misuse of social media and its impact on national security.