Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly interrogated five aides of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation.
The probe followed a petition filed by former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who accused the aides of orchestrating coordinated online attacks against him and members of his political camp.
According to reports, the aides were invited and questioned for several hours at the DSS headquarters in Kano on Saturday. Those involved include Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity at the Government House; Salisu Yahaya Hotoro; Ibrahim Adam, Special Adviser on Information and a former aide to Kwankwaso; Nuhu Dambazau; and Mukhtar S. Yahuza.
Sources said the aides honoured the invitation voluntarily after the petition, dated April 10, 2026, was submitted under the platform of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and personally signed by Kwankwaso.
In the petition, the former governor alleged that the aides were behind sustained online harassment, including coordinated campaigns aimed at damaging his reputation and escalating political tensions in Kano. He also expressed concern over the increasing use of digital platforms to spread defamatory content.
“It has become evident that certain individuals allegedly occupying official positions within the Kano State Government are behind persistent cyberbullying and coordinated attacks against our leaders,” the petition stated in part.
Confirming the development, Dawakin-Tofa said he and three others were later released on bail after about four hours in DSS custody.
“My humble self, along with three others… were released on bail by the DSS Kano State Command over a petition filed by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on alleged cybercrimes, intimidation and defamation,” he said.
He added that the case is expected to proceed to court.
The development comes amid rising political tension in Kano following recent shifts in party alignment, which have deepened divisions between rival political camps in the state.
