DSS Arrests Content Creator Over Comments on Fulani Herdsmen Killings in Enugu State, Nigeria – June 20, 2025
A growing storm of controversy has engulfed Enugu State following the arrest and secret detention of a Nigerian content creator, Evangelist Ebube Joseph, allegedly over his outspoken criticism of the government’s handling of incessant killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the state.
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, Evangelist Joseph was initially abducted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and held incommunicado in an underground cell for 10 days, without access to his family, lawyer, or medical treatment — a move that has triggered outrage among civil rights groups, media advocates, and online communities.
Sources allege that his arrest was orchestrated on the orders of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who reportedly took offense at Evangelist Joseph’s viral videos and social media posts condemning the administration’s failure to stop the violence meted out by armed herders.
“I Thought I Wouldn’t Come Back Alive” – Evangelist Joseph Speaks Out
In a video posted to Facebook following his brief release on bail, Evangelist Joseph described his ordeal with haunting detail.
“The day I was arrested, it was around 2 a.m. DSS operatives came with four vehicles to my residence in the village. They dragged me out, handcuffed me, and blindfolded me,” he said.
“I committed no crime. All I did was speak out against the killings by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu and across Nigeria. For 10 days, I was kept underground. I thought I would never come back alive.”
Despite his fragile health condition, Joseph was released only briefly before being re-arrested after he was invited to Enugu under the pretense of a formal discussion. Upon arrival, he was allegedly detained again and secretly arraigned in court, without the presence of legal counsel or any notification to his family.
Charged With “Defaming the Governor”
Another content creator and close associate of Joseph, known as MC Dave, disclosed the arrest and detention details to SaharaReporters on Friday. According to him, the DSS acted on the orders of Governor Mbah, accusing Joseph of defaming the state governor through his online activism.
“An Anambra-based content creator who was speaking truth to power was whisked away by DSS operatives. This wasn’t about national security — it was about silencing dissent,” said MC Dave.
He added that the case was being handled in secrecy, with no official court documents made public and no communication from the government regarding Joseph’s status.
Rising Tensions Over Insecurity in Enugu
The backdrop to this development is the rising insecurity in Enugu State, particularly in rural areas where residents continue to face attacks from suspected herdsmen. Despite repeated complaints, citizens say there has been little concrete action or security intervention by the state government.
Evangelist Joseph’s now-viral videos had called out this inaction, accusing the state government of prioritizing image management over actual security reform. In one of the videos, he emotionally narrated the plight of displaced villagers and victims of herdsmen violence, urging the governor to act.
“How many must die before something is done? Are we still Nigerians if we can’t speak out when our people are being slaughtered?” he asked in one of the clips.
Human Rights Groups Demand Transparency
The arrest has sparked condemnation from several rights organizations, including Civic Rights Frontiers (CRF) and the Nigerian Social Media Watchdogs Association (NSMWA), both of whom have called for the immediate release of Evangelist Joseph and a transparent investigation into the role of the DSS and the state government in the matter.
“This is a dangerous precedent — silencing voices of conscience through clandestine detentions. It’s not only unconstitutional, it is morally repugnant,” said Chinelo Dike, a human rights lawyer based in Enugu.
Legal analysts argue that detaining a citizen for expressing concern over public safety is a violation of Nigeria’s constitutional right to free speech, enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.
Governor Peter Mbah’s Silence Fuels Speculation
As of press time, Governor Peter Mbah has not issued a statement regarding the allegations, nor has his media team responded to press inquiries. His silence has only deepened suspicion, with critics accusing his administration of adopting dictatorial tactics to suppress criticism and control public perception.
Many online users, especially youth-led advocacy platforms, have launched a trending hashtag — #FreeEbubeJoseph — demanding his release and calling attention to a perceived crackdown on free expression under Mbah’s leadership.
A Dangerous Trend?
This incident adds to a growing list of cases where Nigerian authorities have used security agencies to clamp down on digital critics. From journalists to comedians, bloggers to clergy, freedom of expression is increasingly under threat, especially when tied to political accountability.
As Evangelist Joseph remains in detention awaiting a hearing, the broader issue of civil liberties in Nigeria continues to spark national debate.