Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS), has denied allegations of arresting and detaining some innocent Nigerians on the orders of some powerful citizens.
DSS Public Relations Officer Peter Afunaya, who made this known said the service has a Standard Operation Procedure on the Criminal Justice Administration, which it has been following over the years.
The DSS was reacting to the column by the Chairman, Editorial Board of THISDAY, narrating the plight of Nigerians in detention, in a column titled: ”Beyond Abba Kyari’s Indictment”.
Adeniyi had in his column published on Thursday alleged that hundreds of innocent citizens are currently languishing in police and State Security Services” detention centres following arrests ordered by powerful men and women.
But in a swift reaction, Afunanya, while noting that he cannot not speak for the other security agencies but for the DSS, described the allegations as false, saying such exist.
Afunaya in a reaction posted on the DSS media platform, reads; “Dear Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, without efforts to join issues with you on an opinion expressed by you in your article of 5th August, 2021 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 an SOP on the criminal justice administration.
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 It is misleading, inciting, denigrating, demeaning, misinforming and should be withdrawn.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.
Peter Afunanya, PhD
PRO-DSS