DSS Faces Backlash for Arresting Pastor at 2 AM Without Legal Basis

Reverend Beziel, a cleric of the Global Methodist Church, has allegedly been seized and arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

On February 22, 2026, security personnel brought up Beziel at his Taraba State home at around two in the morning, according to Sahara Reporters.

According to reports, the cleric’s ongoing arrest has sparked considerable discontent.

Ruhania Idris, a churchgoer, expressed concern about the cleric’s ongoing incarceration, claiming that despite efforts to secure his release, he is still incarcerated.

“DSS agents abducted our pastor, Reverend Beziel, from his home in the middle of the night without warning or justification. He has been detained for weeks since then without any specific accusations made against him, according to Idris.

He added that ₦15 million was purportedly paid to make the pastor’s release possible, but that the endeavor has not produced any outcomes.

“We were told that paying ₦15 million would guarantee his release, but he remains in custody even after we raised and paid the money. We are bewildered, upset, and feel totally powerless as a result of this,” he continued.

He claims that the cleric has now been moved to a prison in the state capital of Jalingo, which raises more questions regarding due process and potential human rights violations.

“He has been transferred to the Jalingo correctional facility and is no longer even in DSS custody, but no one has informed us of the offense he committed.” We don’t know,” Idris remarked.

The source claims that an official in the Taraba State government separated the administration from the issue, which caused the situation to take a more concerning turn.

According to reports, the State Government Secretary made it clear to us that he did not know of anyone who could help the pastor be released. Our concerns that justice might not be done have been heightened by that comment,” Idris said.