The siege laid to the Ikoyi office of the EFCC by the DSS has taken a dramatic turn with the firing of gunshots.
Officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) had on Tuesday morning arrived at the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
All the EFCC officials at the office on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, were prevented from accessing the building.
“They even placed an armoured tank just to scare us away,” one EFCC official was quoted to have said.
It was learnt that both agencies have been having disputes over the ownership of the building.
But the DSS said in a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, that it was only occupying its own facility where it was carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.
“It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office. No. It is not true. The Service is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility,” the statement said.
The statement added: “By the way, there is no controversy over No 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the Media. Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership. Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters. SSS/DSS started from there. It is a common knowledge. It is a historical fact. Check it out.
“There is no rivalry between the Service and the EFCC over and about anything. Please do not create any imaginary one. They are great partners working for the good of the nation. Dismiss any falsehood of a fight.”
But gunshots could be heard in a video uploaded by The Nation newspapers.
— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) May 30, 2023
It has yet to be clear which of the agencies fired the gunshots and the reason.
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