The Department of State Services (DSS) in Kaduna has confirmed the arrest of a social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, widely known as Sultan. His arrest followed a formal complaint accusing him of using fake social media accounts to harass and extort a citizen.
According to DSS Kaduna Command, Sultan was picked up on September 27, 2025, at Layin Dan-Masani, Rigachikun, in Igabi Local Government Area.
Allegations Against Sultan
Investigations by DSS cyber experts revealed that Sultan allegedly operated phishing accounts with the handles:
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@OZugwai40986 on X (formerly Twitter)
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@Zugwai75 on Instagram
These accounts were reportedly used to threaten the complainant, demanding payments through a crypto wallet and a Point of Sales (POS) account.
The complainant further alleged that Sultan created other “catfish” accounts to lure him into an undisclosed location, raising concerns of a possible kidnap attempt.
Digital Evidence Recovered
Although Sultan deleted the suspicious accounts when he noticed the DSS closing in, cyber investigators successfully recovered them from his device.
A DSS insider revealed that investigators uncovered:
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Digital footprints
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Payment evidence
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Conversations linking Sultan directly to the alleged crime
All findings, according to the Service, will be presented in court.
No Political Motive – DSS Clarifies
Amid speculations of political witch-hunting, the DSS clarified that Sultan’s arrest was strictly a cybercrime case.
The agency emphasized that its priority is the protection of ordinary citizens from online threats, dismissing claims of political undertones.
Social Media Reactions
The development has triggered heated reactions online.
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Supporters of Sultan argue that the case is politically motivated.
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Others backed the DSS, stressing that the court must decide based on the available evidence.
Next Steps
Arrangements are reportedly in progress to arraign Sultan before a competent court on charges of:
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Cybercrime
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Extortion
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Threats to life
The case continues to generate national attention, highlighting the growing risks of cybercrime in Nigeria and the importance of online safety.
