DSS denies employing forceful tactics against Nigerians

Department of State Services (DSS) has denied report of abducting Nigerians in the form of arrest, stating that it is a law-abiding and professional agency committed to protection of citizens and sensitive government installations.

The secret service was responding to a report, which quoted Amnesty International (AI) as stating that the DSS abducts innocent Nigerians under the President Muhammadu Buhari regime.

Spokesperson for DSS, Peter Afunanya, in a statement, yesterday, clarified that the organisation only arrests when, where and if necessary as part of its enforcement activities. He said the secret service’s operations are carried out in line with tenets of democratic ideals.

Afunanya added that at no time had the agency embarked on its actions without following laid down procedures in respect of obtaining warrants of arrest or orders for detention from competent legal authorities

The spokesman said: “The claim of abduction or use of enforced disappearances is an absolute lie and a make-up narrative designed to bring the service to disrepute.

“The DSS is law abiding and committed to the protection of citizens and sensitive government installations. In doing this, it will continue to discharge its mandate of intelligence collection and timely dissemination of same to relevant action agencies and stakeholders.” He stressed the need for media practitioners to rise above parochial considerations and fish out quacks among them.

“The media can also peer review and embark on self-censorship as part of achieving professionalism in the industry. They must reject the allure of enticement by external forces to use them to instigate violence or undermine government and its institutions. Otherwise, those who run foul of the law must be ready to face justice either now or in the future,” he added.