The Department of State Services detained social media influencer Sani Waspapping in Kaduna on Friday evening. Officers carried out the operation and took the man popularly known as Sarki into custody. Reports added that agents briefly detained one associate but released the person later.
Arrest Linked to War Comments
Multiple reports connected the detention to comments Waspapping made about the Israel-Iran war. He posted strong support for Iran on the platform X. Additionally he criticised Israel and the United States in the messages.
Waspapping shared direct statements in his posts. He wrote “Nigeria stands with Iran.” In a separate message he asked “How can Nigeria assist Iran in this War against the terror!sts states of Israel and America please @khamenei_ir ?”
Friends Demand Immediate Release
Friends and associates reacted swiftly to the news. They demanded his unconditional release. Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that the arrest targeted Waspapping over his views on the United States Israel and Iran war. The associates stressed that citizens hold the right to freedom of speech.
Amnesty International Condemns Detention
Human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned the arrest. The group called the detention “arbitrary.” Amnesty International stated that Waspapping remained in custody without access to family or lawyers. The organisation added that Nigerian authorities must abide by the rule of law at all times including in the case of Sani Waspapping.
Charges Remain Unclear
Authorities had not disclosed the exact charges against Waspapping as of Monday. The influencer stayed in DSS custody while the investigation continued. Meanwhile the case marked the second detention linked to comments on the Middle East conflict.
The Department of State Services released no official comment on the arrest. Officials continued to hold Waspapping without public explanation. Supporters kept pressing for updates and transparency throughout the day.
