The Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday said its operatives invaded the house of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), because there was a credible intelligence that the former NSA was liable to commit treason against the Nigerian state.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by one of the DSS operatives, Mr Tony Opuiyo in Abuja on Sunday.

Properties belonging to the former NSA on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State were ransacked.

Opuiyo berated Dasuki for instructing his military guards to prevent operatives of the DSS from gaining access to his residence, noting that that the maturity of the DSS agents prevented a violent stand-off.

“The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but Dasuki, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Kadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant.

“Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and the Service operatives,”it said.

While claiming that Dasuki as retired colonel was not entitled to military guards, Opuiyo said the DSS had a valid court order to search Dasuki’s residences. He said the DSS found some incriminating items during the search.

“The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.

“The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership.

“For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.

“What could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet-proof cars which, put together, could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while,” it said.

It debunked insinuations that the raid on Dasuki’s residence was a witch-hunt.

“The service decided to move at this time in line with current management’s resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days,”it said.

The DSS said it would use all constitutional means as defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals.

It assured Nigerians that the gesture and confidence being expressed would be reciprocated with more dedication and service to the country.