A fresh wave of public concern has followed the arrest of a middle-aged man from Ekiti State after security operatives reportedly linked his phone line to suspected kidnappers, a claim his family has strongly denied in a now-viral video circulating on X (formerly Twitter).

According to information obtained by Akahi News, the man was reportedly taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and transported to Lagos for interrogation over allegations that his SIM card had been used in criminal activities connected to kidnapping.

However, a family member has cried out in an emotional video, alleging that the man is innocent and has no involvement in any form of criminal enterprise. She explained that her father had only purchased the SIM card while visiting family members in Lagos and used it for normal communication, before returning to Ekiti State.

Viral Video Sparks Public Outcry

The video, which has gained significant attention online, carries the caption:
“Nigerian mobile network providers will retrieve a line used by kidnapp£rs and reassign it to another customer. Now her dad has been picked up by DSS for an offence he never committed.”

In the footage, the woman claims that the DSS initially denied holding her father in Lagos, further heightening the family’s distress and confusion over his whereabouts. She also alleged that the agency has refused to grant the family access to him since his arrest.

Akahi News gathered that the family is particularly worried about the man’s health condition, as he is said to be battling underlying health challenges even before his arrest. They fear that the continued detention without medical attention and family contact could worsen his condition.

Questions Raised over SIM Card Reassignment

The incident has raised new concerns about the process through which Nigerian mobile network providers recycle and reassign deactivated phone numbers. If the family’s claims are accurate, it could mean that the man unknowingly became a victim of circumstances linked to the previous user of the SIM card.

Although this practice is not new, the situation has ignited renewed debate among Nigerians, with many questioning whether proper safeguards exist to protect innocent subscribers from being linked to crimes committed by former owners of recycled lines.

Several social media users who reacted to the video urged security agencies and telecommunications operators to review their systems, especially in cases involving serious offences such as kidnapping, where the consequences of false implication can be devastating.

Call for Transparency and Due Process

As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official public statement from the DSS clarifying the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest or confirming the basis of the allegations against him.

Akahi News learnt that the family is calling for transparency, due process, and urgent access to the detained man, insisting that he should either be released or formally charged and granted access to legal and medical support.

Legal analysts who spoke with newsmen noted that while security agencies have a duty to investigate criminal matters thoroughly, suspects also have constitutional rights that must be respected, including the right to be informed of their offence, access to family or legal counsel, and appropriate medical care where needed.

Growing Public Attention

The case continues to draw attention online, with many Nigerians sharing the video and demanding clarity from both the DSS and the relevant mobile network operators. Observers believe that how this matter is handled could influence public trust in both the country’s security institutions and the telecommunications sector.

Akahi News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more verified details emerge.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Akahi News www.akahinews.org