SSS Releases Buhari’s Critic, Usman Bugaje, after Eight Hours Detention

The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday interrogated Usman Bugaje, an ardent critic of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, over a recent interview he granted African Television (AIT).

Sources close to Mr. Bugaje said he reported at the SSS headquarters in Abuja at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, based on invitation.

Mr Bugaje, who in 2016 turned down the Buhari administration’s ambassadorial appointment offer, was interrogated in custody for eight hours, the sources said.

PREMIUM TIMES was told that Mr Bugaje, the convener of Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), left the SSS premises at about 7p.m. after he was granted bail by the secret police on Wednesday.

Invitation

An associate of Mr Bugaje told our correspondent that the secret service had invited him two weeks ago after he featured twice on the AIT programmes in Abuja.

“Dr Bugaje had featured twice on an interview programme of the AIT two weeks ago. After his appearances on the television, he received an invitation from the SSS, asking him to report at its office to provide further clarifications on the comments he made on the programmes.

“Today (Wednesday) at 10a.m, he (Mr Bugaje) reported at the SSS in Abuja and he was detained,” the source said.