The Department of State Services (DSS) has refuted the claims making the rounds that it has been abducting innocent Nigerians at will during the current President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The DSS said that its attention was drawn to the claim by an online news medium.
In a press statement on Wednesday, August 31, 2022,, the DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr. Peter Afunanya, described the claim as “misleading narrative”, adding: “It (DSS) does not abduct Nigerians.”
Afunanya stated: “As part of its enforcement activities, the DSS arrests when, where and if necessary. This is evidently carried out in line with tenets of democratic ideals.
“At no time has 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 claim of abduction or use of enforced disappearances is an absolute lie and a make-up narrative designed to bring the Service to disrepute.”
He added that 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,” the DSS PRO said.
He also enjoined media practitioners in Nigeria to rise above parochial considerations, sanitise its fold 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,” the DSS warned.
