Islamic Cleric accused of having ties to Al-Qaeda released after 9 years in prison

 • Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, an Ilorin-based Islamic scholar and speaker, was detained for alleged ties to a terrorist organisation

 • Berende was arrested by the secret police in 2012 on terrorism and espionage charges

 • It was discovered that the DSS had first refused to release him despite many court orders

After nine years of imprisonment, Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, an Ilorin-based Islamic scholar and preacher who was detained over claimed ties to terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda, has been released.

Berende was arrested by the secret police in 2012 on terrorism and espionage charges.

He was said to have arrived in Ilorin over the weekend with a small group of family members.

After a special prayer was conducted for him at his family house in Idi-Ape, Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state, family members, friends, and acquaintances allegedly gathered a thanksgiving to celebrate his release.

It was discovered that the DSS had first refused to release him despite many court orders, accusing him of spying for the Iranian government.