Nigerian Court Remands Activist Shehu Mahdi Over Allegations of French Military Base At North
Nigerian court has ordered the detention of activist and whistleblower Shehu Mahdi in a correctional facility, following his controversial claims regarding the establishment of a French military base in the northern region of the country. The allegations, which have been widely discredited, sparked significant public debate and concern over their potential to incite unrest.
Mahdi, known for his outspoken views on national issues, had circulated a video suggesting that the Nigerian government was facilitating the presence of French military personnel in the northern region. Investigations revealed that the video in question was misleading, featuring old footage of Nigerian troops involved in an ECOWAS peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2013. Despite evidence refuting his claims, Mahdi reportedly refused to retract the information, leading to his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The whistleblower was arraigned at a magistrate court in Kaduna, where he was charged with conspiracy and incitement. Authorities cited violations of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, as well as state penal codes related to public disturbance. The presiding magistrate ordered his remand in custody pending the continuation of the case, which is scheduled to resume on January 14, 2025.
The Nigerian Army has also issued a statement dismissing Mahdi’s assertions as baseless and potentially harmful. The military emphasized the need to combat misinformation, particularly when it has the potential to jeopardize national security or sow discord among citizens.
This incident highlights the growing challenges posed by the spread of unverified information, especially in an era of rapid digital communication. Authorities and experts continue to urge the public to rely on credible sources and exercise caution before sharing potentially inflammatory content.
