Police arrest El-Rufai’s supporter, Imran Wakili, after posting ‘low-turnout’ images at Tinubu’s rally in Kaduna
Police arrest El-Rufai’s supporter, Imran Wakili, after posting ‘low-turnout’ images at Tinubu’s rally in Kaduna
The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly arrested a prominent social media influencer, Imran Usman Wakili, over social media posts alleging low turnout at the presidential campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kaduna State.
Mr Wakili, a staunch supporter of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, was reportedly arrested after security operatives tracked him to his residence in an estate in Karu on the outskirt of Abuja on October 29.
Sources familiar with the incident told DAILY NIGERIAN on the condition of anonymity that the police operation began at about 4:30 p.m. when a team of operatives stormed the estate and asked security personnel to direct them to Mr Wakili’s apartment.
The sources said the operatives showed the estate security personnel a photograph of Mr Wakili and his vehicle before asking for directions to his residence.
According to them, the arrest was linked to a series of photographs Mr Wakili posted on his X and Facebook accounts, allegedly showing a poor turnout at the APC presidential campaign flag-off held in Kaduna on October 24.
In one of the posts published on October 25 and seen by DAILY NIGERIAN, Mr Wakili questioned why the APC did not release aerial footage of the event.
“In case you are wondering why they didn’t post any drone video clips, this is why, and mind you, 95% are not from Kaduna,” he wrote.
He added: “Again, APC outing yesterday made me realise that maybe, just maybe, I have exaggerated the role money will play in the 2027 election.
“Again, it is important to remind you, this is a 5,000-capacity venue, as against the 16,000 ABU Stadium APC used before now!”
In another post on the same day, Mr Wakili alleged that some photographs shared by the APC had been doctored.
He questioned the colours of a flag in one of the images, arguing that they appeared to resemble the colours of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rather than those of the APC.
“Frame 1: That is APC flag carrying APC colours GREEN, WHITE, and SKY BLUE, then RED underneath.
“Frame 2: APC doctored image!
“Frame 3: Zoomed APC doctored image. Why am I seeing a GREEN, WHITE and RED flag? Is that not PDP colours? If you want to do AI, do it well. Some of us went to school and studied IT,” he wrote.
The sources alleged that the posts angered some individuals and triggered moves to arrest the influencer.
They further claimed that the operation was part of a broader crackdown on Mr El-Rufai’s loyalists and sympathisers, particularly those who openly express their political views on social media.
The sources said Mr Wakili had consistently defended the former governor’s political legacy and supported his political demands.
They also alleged that he had been under surveillance by security operatives before his arrest.
One of the sources said the police team arrived at the estate with a towing van, claiming that the vehicle driven by Mr Wakili was stolen.
However, the source disputed the allegation, saying Mr Wakili had bought the vehicle from his brother, who had used it for about three years before handing it over to him.
The source said the operatives did not find Mr Wakili at home when they initially arrived and subsequently arrested his younger brother, who lives with him, and the estate manager.
“They accused the manager of leaking their plans to Imran, a claim he denied.
“Both the manager and Imran’s younger brother were then taken to the SARS office at the Abattoir.
“The two individuals, along with the vehicle, were later released after Imran showed up,” the source said.
The sources added that Mr Wakili had remained incommunicado since the incident.
They said efforts by members of his family to establish his whereabouts and secure his release had been unsuccessful, alleging that those approached insisted he was being held on orders from above.
The sources further alleged that a governor was among those behind the operation and claimed that the governor was currently in Saudi Arabia with President Bola Tinubu.
However, DAILY NIGERIAN could not independently verify the allegations surrounding the alleged involvement of political office holders.
The sources appealed to the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the security agencies and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to ensure Mr Wakili’s release or arraignment before a court.
Earlier warning
Before the reported arrest, Mr Wakili had raised the alarm over attempts by police operatives to locate him.
In a distress message, he said police personnel had visited his residence earlier in the day but did not find him.
“Earlier today, police personnel came to my house looking for me, but unfortunately, I was not around. They told those they met that the matter was urgent and that I needed to report to them. However, I was occupied at the time and could not immediately attend to their request.
“After a while, they left, and I thought that was all for the moment. After a while, they returned, and this time, the situation took a different turn.
“When they came back, they arrested my younger brother and towed my car. According to them, I had to present myself before they could release him,” he wrote.
Efforts to obtain the police’s reaction were unsuccessful as the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, did not respond to an inquiry sent to her on the matter.
