Shehu Mahdi, a political commentator, has been remanded in a Kaduna correctional facility over false claims about a French military base in Nigeria. The DSS charged him with conspiracy and aiding terrorism. Officials debunked the claims, emphasizing the risks of misinformation. The case resumes on January 14, 2025.
A Kaduna magistrate court has ordered the detention of Shehu Mahdi, a political analyst, following allegations of spreading misleading information regarding a supposed French military base in Nigeria.
Mahdi was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) after sharing a social media post on December 14. The post, which has since been deleted, alleged that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of a French military base in northern Nigeria. The accompanying video depicted a Nigerian Army officer speaking in Hausa with a foreign soldier in the background.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Information Minister Mohammed Idris refuted the claims, labeling them baseless. Investigations by CableCheck confirmed no deployment of French forces to Maiduguri, the base's alleged site.
During the court session on Tuesday, Mahdi faced charges of conspiracy and aiding terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. He was also charged with inciting public disturbances under Kaduna's Penal Code Law of 2017.
Presiding Magistrate Abubakar Lamido ruled that Mahdi be held in a correctional facility until January 14, 2025, when the case will resume.
Authorities have stressed the dangers of spreading unverified information, citing its potential to incite public unrest and threaten national security. The government reiterated its commitment to combating misinformation and maintaining stability.
