The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied allegation that the service and other security agencies detain individuals on order of “powerful men and women”.
DSS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Peter Afunanya, denied the allegation in response to an opinion by the Former Presidential Adviser, Olusegun Adeniyi, on the travails of DCP Abba Kyari following his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Thursday in Abuja.
Adeniyi in the opinion titled: Beyond Abba Kyari’s Indictment, published in one of the Nnational dailies (not Blueprint) alleged that: “Hundreds of innocent citizens are currently languishing in Police and State Security Services (SSS) detention centres across the country, following arrests ordered by powerful men and women.”
However, the DSS Spokesperson’s response titled: Re: Beyond Abba Kyari’s Indictment stated: “… no Nigerian or anyone for that matter is in the SSS/DSS custody on the order(s) of private citizens or persons.”
The response read in part: “Dear Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, without efforts to join issues with you on an opinion expressed by you in your article of August 5, 202, on the above subject matter, the SSS takes exceptions to the part that states that: “Hundreds of innocent citizens are currently languishing in Police and State Security Services (SSS) detention centres across the country, following arrests ordered by powerful men and women.”
“This is not true. I do not speak for the Police but it is certain that no Nigerian or anyone for that matter is in the SSS/DSS custody on the order(s) of private citizens or persons. The SSS has a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) on the criminal justice administration.”
According to the Spokesperson, “The media owes a duty, propelled by good conscience and common good, to guide public narratives about some government agencies and their sacrifices to uphold security, peace and unity of this nation, Nigeria.
“The SSS should not be run down given the slightest opportunity. You had been at the commanding heights of governance and national security administration and management to understand issues so as not to misinform the public.
“It is unacceptable for a respectable columnist of your experience and status to make a sweeping statement like the one herein. It is misleading, inciting, denigrating, demeaning, misinforming and should be withdrawn.
“The SSS and indeed security agencies, if not praised, should be supported. The Organisation may not be perfect but it is doing so much for the Country. It respects and loves the citizens and residents and strives to serve them based on best practices, rule of law/engagement and a balance between rights and national security.
“Thank you Sir as you correct this erroneous impression created about the Service. I remain your partner in progress and service to fatherland.”
