SUNTV Global Channel – February 25, 2026
Three Nigerian youths travelling from Kano to Sokoto to visit the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have accused officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) of arresting, detaining, and extorting money from them before abandoning them stranded in Zamfara State.
According to a source familiar with the incident, the travellers were intercepted and held for nearly seven hours during their journey. Video footage obtained by SUNTV Global Channel reportedly shows the youths during their detention.
One of the victims, who identified himself as Cruise Naija, told SUNTV Global Channel that the ordeal began on Sunday at the entrance of Zamfara State. “After searching our vehicle, they asked me and my colleague to step down. They accused us of attempting to travel illegally to Libya, despite our explanation that we were heading to Sokoto,” he said.
The situation escalated after officers allegedly discovered photographs on Cruise Naija’s phone showing him with activist and politician Omoyele Sowore and other Nigerian activists. “From that moment, they labeled me an activist, seized my phone, and refused to let me contact anyone,” he added.
Cruise Naija further alleged that the officers demanded exorbitant sums before allowing the youths to continue their journey. “They initially demanded ₦200,000 plus ₦30,000 for transportation to Sokoto. After arguments, they reduced it to ₦50,000, which we still could not pay,” he said. Two female travellers reportedly paid ₦230,000 under pressure before being transported onward.
After leaving the checkpoint, the youths claimed the driver who was supposed to ferry them onward disputed the payment, leaving them stranded. “We had to call people to send us funds so we could continue our journey,” Cruise Naija said.
This incident comes months after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed an ex parte application by Kanu seeking transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility, following the withdrawal of his lawyer, Demdoo Asan, citing irreconcilable differences with the applicant.
The youths’ ordeal has reignited concerns over alleged human rights abuses and extortion at security checkpoints, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding visits to political detainees in Nigeria.
