The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the Nigerian Army over the prolonged detention of Ntari Hassan Danladi, a former youth leader from Taraba State, who has been held without trial since 2021.
Danladi, who previously served as the National President of the Mumuye Youths, was arrested at the youth wing office of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association in Jalingo, Taraba State. He was accused of alleged ties to the Middle Belt Ethnic Militia but has remained in custody for four years without formal charges—until recently.
According to a letter from the DSS dated June 14, 2025, Danladi and another individual, Joshua Njiwa, were accused of travelling to a proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) camp in a forest in Abia State, where they allegedly participated in military drills and weapons training. The DSS said the camp was located in the Ozu Abam community of Arochukwu Local Government Area.
The DSS insisted it obtained valid court orders throughout Danladi’s detention and acted in accordance with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. It also warned that the contents of its correspondence were classified and that unauthorised disclosure could result in prosecution.
After years without a formal charge, the Office of the Attorney General has now filed a fresh three-count terrorism charge against Danladi, who is currently being held at the military detention facility in Wawa Cantonment, Niger State.
In response to a public petition over the continued detention, the House Committee has scheduled a hearing and directed all parties—including the DSS, AGF, and Nigerian Army—to appear in person on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 429 (New Wing) of the National Assembly.
The Committee has further instructed each party to submit one soft copy and 20 hard copies of their brief ahead of the session. A failure to appear, it warned, may result in the case proceeding or being resolved in the absence of the concerned parties.
Quoting Sections 88 and 89(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the committee reminded the invited parties of their constitutional obligation to honour the summons and participate in the inquiry.
