A staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, has been arrested by police in Abuja amid an ongoing search for individuals suspected of leaking information related to alleged land allocations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to his children.
According to reports, Shaharu, who is assigned to the Fresh Applications Unit at AGIS, was taken into custody by a team of police detectives on Tuesday afternoon. His location remained unknown as of Wednesday morning, causing growing concern among his family, who fear he may be subject to mistreatment.
A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest but stated that further details would be shared in due course.
Shaharu’s role involves handling new land application filings at AGIS, the agency tasked with managing and verifying land ownership and property records in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Colleagues expressed worry that the minister may be targeting the wrong individuals.
“Make mistakes” by targeting innocent low-to-mid-level officials who had no involvement in leaking the documents that revealed the scale of the minister’s alleged fraud.
Sources within the agency also claimed the minister has become increasingly anxious and unstable since the reports emerged.
“He’s confused and moving fast, which is why he keeps making mistakes,” an official informed on the minister’s activity told The Gazette.
“He’s been drinking even more heavily now and cursing at everybody, including his wife.”
Wike’s wife, Eberechi Suzette Nyesom-Wike, currently serves as a judge on the federal appellate court. A spokesperson for the minister was not immediately available to comment on the arrest.
According to Sahara Reporters, “Documents obtained directly from the minister’s office and published on 26 June and 1 July show that at least 3,822 hectares of land, estimated to be worth $6.45 billion, were allocated by Mr. Wike to his sons Jordan, 25, and Joaquin, 23.”
These revelations have triggered public outrage, with Wike blaming political adversaries for the leak.
Some unrecognised groups have also appeared in the media defending Mr Wike, describing the reports as politically motivated.
