Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has publicly stated that he was not detained by security agencies, contrary to claims that sparked outrage and condemnation from former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The controversy began on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, when Peter Obi took to his social media platforms to raise an alarm. Obi stated that he had been informed that Sheikh Umar, a respected Tijaniyya cleric and gubernatorial aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him during a visit to Kaduna on Sunday, March 22 .
The development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened,” Obi wrote, calling the alleged arrest an act of intimidation and a threat to democratic principles.
Sheikh Umar Speaks
In a swift response that contradicted the earlier reports, Sheikh Umar released a video statement clarifying the nature of his encounter with the Department of State Services (DSS).
He explained that he was merely invited for routine questioning and was never placed under arrest or detained .”I come today to correct a false report being circulated in some quarters. I was not detained by the DSS. I was invited for questioning. I cooperated fully, and I was released. I am free, safe and well,” Sheikh Umar stated .
The cleric used the opportunity to appeal for calm among his supporters and the citizens of Kaduna State, urging them not to take the law into their hands or allow themselves to be used to create disorder.
He further advised those dissatisfied with the current political system to pursue change through democratic means, emphasizing the importance of voter registration and participation in elections .
The Meeting in Kaduna
Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar was among the political stakeholders who met with Peter Obi during the former Labour Party presidential candidate’s visit to Kaduna on Sunday.
The meeting was part of Obi’s ongoing nationwide consultations ahead of future political engagements .During the Kaduna visit, Obi met with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Senator Lawal Adamu and other party chieftains.
The former Anambra governor used the platform to advocate for competence-driven leadership and to express his belief that effective governance does not depend on geographical location, stating that he could govern Nigeria even from Kaduna if elected.
Political Reactions
Peter Obi’s initial alarm had drawn widespread reactions from civil society organizations and supporters who expressed concern over what they perceived as growing political intimidation in the country. Many took to social media to demand the cleric’s immediate release before Sheikh Umar’s clarification emerged.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the state of civil liberties and the treatment of perceived political opponents in Nigeria. While the cleric’s clarification has tempered some of the immediate outrage, critics continue to question the timing of the DSS invitation, which came barely 24 hours after a high-profile meeting with a prominent opposition figure .
Ongoing Context
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Kaduna State, where recent controversies involving former governor Nasir El-Rufai have already stirred significant debate. Sheikh Umar, in his statement, also addressed this context, urging patience and allowing due process to take its course regarding the situation involving the former governor.
As of the time of this report, no official statement has been issued by the Department of State Services explaining the nature of the invitation or the specific reasons for questioning Sheikh Umar. The cleric, meanwhile, has maintained his position that the incident was a routine security engagement and not the politically motivated harassment that had been initially alleged.
For now, the cleric has called on all parties to remain peaceful and law-abiding, emphasizing that the path to a better Nigeria lies in active democratic participation rather than confrontation. “Register, vote and choose better leadership when the time comes,” he advised