The Department of State Services, DSS, has dismissed as “inaccurate and misleading” the reports claiming that it’s operatives invaded the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP in Abuja and Lagos.
The DSS made this known in a statement on its website on Monday night.
It explained that the two unarmed service operatives who visited the Abuja office of SERAP were lawfully detailed on routine investigation.
SERAP, an advocacy organization, had sounded the alarm via its official X handle on Monday, saying that DSS operatives had taken over its Abuja office.
The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the DSS to cease the harassment, intimidation, and attacks on Nigerians’ rights.
Reacting to the development, which was widely condemned by many organizations and human rights activists, the DSS said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two (2) unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and does not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures of indept investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.”
The DSS, therefore, urged the public to disregard these false narratives, restating its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.
