Amnesty International had alleged that Salim was targeted without any formal invitation, complaint, or allegation communicated to him. However, CSP Hundeyin refuted these claims in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, providing details of the arrest.
According to Hundeyin, a petition was filed against Salim Abubakar at the Central Police Station in Abuja on 19 December 2025. Despite multiple police invitations, Salim reportedly ignored them, leading to his arrest. He was subsequently investigated and arraigned in court on 8 January 2026. The court adjourned the case to 13 January 2026 and ordered his remand until the next hearing. Hundeyin emphasized that Salim was not detained at the Abattoir facility, countering circulating misinformation.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Miller Dantawaye, has reportedly taken an interest in the matter, assuring the public that due process will be followed. Further updates are expected as the case progresses.
The arrest has sparked political controversy, with the Zamfara State government accusing the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, of using the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to harass political opponents. The state government alleges that Salim’s arrest was politically motivated, a claim that has drawn strong condemnation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aides of Matawalle. They argue that the accusations stem from longstanding political enmity between Governor Lawal and Matawalle.
The situation remains tense as both sides trade accusations, with human rights groups and political observers closely monitoring developments. The police maintain that the arrest followed legal procedures, while critics question the timing and motives behind the detention.
Further updates are anticipated as the court hearing approaches and investigations continue.
