During the August #EndBadGovernance protests, Aminu, an engineer by trade, was one of numerous people detained in Kano and other Northern cities.

In an interview with Channels Television, Aminu claimed that he was tortured by DSS officers while he was under their control.

“What I and we went through was inhuman; I can’t even begin to tell you everything,” Aminu remarked.

They took us into custody at the NEPA Roundabout on August 3. They immediately began beating us. Kicks, boots, everything. We then descended to the Command after they forced us all into our Hiluxes and some of us into our SUVs.

As soon as we arrived, I was given a sturdy cane that resembled the armored cable they used. You can see if I pull up my chest. I was flat on my back when they began beating me, and they were using every kind of stick, armored cable, and other weapon they could think of.

However, the DSS, via its attorney Mohammed Sani Ndanusa (SAN), said in a letter dated November 25, 2024, that Aminu purposefully concocted the accusations in order to damage the security agency’s reputation.

The attorney stated in the letter, “Re: Allegation of Torture By Department of State Security Officials While Undertaking Custody in Kaduna,” that Aminu’s allegations were not only a fabrication of the facts, but also “a purposeful attempt to tarnish the image of the Department of State Security Services, as well as reducing our client’s hard-earned name within their professional realm.”

The attorney also counseled Aminu to “make a retraction.. and cause same to be published in three widely read newspapers, failure to which we shall be compelled… to initiate legal proceedings against you.” He added, “You will agree with us that your above representation have caused our client a lot of embarrassment both inside and outside Nigeria.”