Family Alleges Unlawful Detention, Rights Violations As DSS Keeps Abuja Detainee In Custody Without Charges
A Nigerian mother has raised alarm over the continued detention of her son by the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that he has been held for nearly two years without trial, formal charges, or access to his family.
According to an exclusive report by Sahara Reporters, the woman, Hauwa’u Abubakar, said her son, Adam Abubakar, was arrested by DSS operatives in Taraba State and later transferred to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja without the family being officially informed.
She alleged that since his arrest, Adam has never been arraigned before any court, while the DSS has failed to disclose any concrete charges against him, raising serious concerns over unlawful detention and human rights violations.
The distraught mother said repeated efforts by the family to see their son or obtain information about his welfare have been ignored. She disclosed that formal letters written to the DSS in January and February 2026 requesting visitation and clarification on his legal status received no response.
The report also quoted a former detainee who claimed that the DSS accused Adam of making “inciting statements” during periods of unrest in Jos, allegedly based on phone surveillance. Despite this claim, he has reportedly remained in custody without being taken to court.
Abubakar described her son’s prolonged detention as tantamount to kidnapping, insisting that it violates his constitutional rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, and access to family and legal representation under Nigerian law.
The case has renewed public concern over the detention practices of Nigeria’s security agencies, with rights groups warning that prolonged detention without trial undermines the rule of law.
As of the time of reporting, the Department of State Services had yet to respond to the allegations.
