The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Department of State Security (DSS)

  • ‘How we arrested kidnap-suspect after receiving N1m ransom’

    ‘How we arrested kidnap-suspect after receiving N1m ransom’

    A Department of State Security (DSS) operative with Oyo State Command, Mr Tunde Afolabi, yesterday, told a Federal High Court in Ibadan how his team arrested a suspected kidnapper, Ali Mohammed, after receiving N1 million ransom from his victim.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Afolabi was testifying before Justice Uche Agomoh in a case of alleged terrorism instituted by DSS against Mohammed and others now at large.

    “Sometime in February 2024, we received a distress call that a man, known as Ibrahim Ojo in Iwajowa of Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, had been kidnaped by a gang of kidnappers.

    “Then, myself and the other members of my team swung into action to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping.

    “We later discovered that the kidnappers had devised another tactic of leaving the vicinity by allowing Mohammed to move to Kogi.

    “It was in Kogi that he started negotiating with Ojo’s relatives, who eventually transferred the sum of N1 million to him through his Infinix android smart phone, with a Glo phone number: 09055244538.

    “Mohammed, one of the kidnappers, had established contact with Ojo’s relatives, using a phone number and a UBA account number: 2137984369, with Ali Mohammed as the account name.

    Read Also: LNG: Portugal to import more from US, Nigeria

    “The defendant subsequently received the N1 million sent by the victim’s relatives through the account,” Afolabi said.

    The prosecution witness further stated that Ali went ahead to destroy the sim card to avoid being traced or linked with the crime.

    “My lord, further technical analysis of the Infinix phone led to his arrest in Kogi,” the DSS operative said.

    He tendered the certified copies of the confessional statement made by Mohammed in English and Hausa as an exhibit before the court.

    Afolabi further stated that the defendant made the confession in the presence of representatives of the Legal Aid Council and lawyers.

  • I resisted pressure to compromise Kwara elections – REC

    The Kwara state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Garba Attahiru Madami has disclosed that millions of naira were brought to him to compromise the Kwara state National Assembly elections which he resisted.

    According to him; “There was pressure to compromise, money, millions of naira was brought to me to manipulate results but I was determined not to compromise. There was pressure but I choose the part of honor instead of money.”

    Speaking with newsmen in an interactive session in Minna on Monday, Madami however refused to say who tried to induce him with money to compromise the elections.

    He said that he had to use the Department of State Security (DSS) and the swapping strategy to ensure that his staff did not compromise in the elections.

    Read Also: Kwara Assembly passes 42 bills, 120 motions

    The REC said that while taking up the job as the INEC Commissioner in Kwara state, he was aware that the General elections would be a dicey one, “I was determined that nothing will manipulate me in anyway. I knew Kwara state was in the eye of the world and I was determined to be the one who will make Nigeria proud in conducting free, fair and transparent elections the state had ever had.”

    He declared that INEC is truly independent adding that the last general elections have shown the independence of INEC.

    “INEC is truly independent, very independent. The INEC Chairman is one who leads by example.”

  • Farmers/herders killings declining drastically, says minister

    There have been drastic decline in the farmers-herders killings across the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed attributed the drastic reduction to the various measures and actions of the government in tackling the crisis headlong.

    Speaking at the sixth Special Town Hall meeting on Farmer-herders clashes in the country held in Gusau, Zamfara state yesterday the minister also reiterated that the clashes have never been of religious or ethnic but an act of banditry.

    He therefore urged Nigerians to repudiate those who are trying to introduce religious and ethnic coloration into the crisis.

    While declaring the meeting open, the minister assured the gathering that government efforts at taming the situation was yielding result.

    He said: “Let me say straight away that the killings, resulting from farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling, trans-border crimes and banditry, among others, have fallen drastically. Unfortunately, this has not received the kind of media coverage that was given to the killings. I appeal to the media to correct this.

    “The drastic fall in the killings resulted from concerted and committed actions by the Federal Government. Measures taken to curtail the farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling and other acts of banditry include:- Deployment of a Joint Military Intervention Force (JMIF), comprising; Regular and Special Forces personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy, and working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force,

    Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),  Establishment of the Army’s 2 Battalion Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

    Read Also: Yet another presidential theory on farmers versus herdsmen

    Establishment of a new Area Command and two additional Divisional Police Headquarters in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. – Establishment by Nigerian Air Force of Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, and deployment of Special Forces to these Quick Response Wings. The inauguration, by the Nigeria Police Force, of a new Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State.

    And Operation ‘Whirl Stroke’, operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states, to tackle the menace of armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, communal militias, kidnappers and other bandits.

    “I have no doubt that the good people of Zamfara can testify to the drastic reduction in the activities of cattle rustlers and other bandits in the state since the Federal Government assembled a 1000-strong military force, comprising the army, air force, police and the civil defence, to launch fierce attacks on the bandits terrorizing the villages and towns of Zamfara State. The situation will continue to improve until the violence has stopped.

    “Your Excellency, Honorable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by repeating what I have always said: The killings that we have witnessed in the country have nothing to do with ethnicity or religion. As I have always cited, those rustling cattle in Zamfara are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Those whose cattle are rustled are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Where is ethnicity? Where is religion in this? And in Kebbi, more than 70 per cent of inmates in the state prison are there because of farmers-herders clash. Yet, the farmers are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim, and the herders are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Ethnicity and religion play no role!

    “Those who are bent on exploiting our national fault lines have distorted the narrative to give the killings ethnic and religious coloration, and this has aggravated the killings. We must repudiate them, even as the Federal Government continues to consolidate on the successful efforts to end the killings.”

     

  • IYC commends Seiyefa for releasing DSS detainees

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide Tuesday applauded the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mathew Seiyefa, for making good his promise to review cases and release detainees held in the agency without trials.

    IYC also called on the Presidency to confirm the appointment of Seiyefa and make him the substantive head of the DSS.

    The Nation reported exclusively that the DSS commenced a process of granting freedom to suspects detained for some years without trials in its facilities in Abuja.

    Seven of the suspects, who were arrested in 2016 in Bayelsa State, were brought to Yenagoa at the weekend.

    They were brought from the DSS Headquarters in Abuja to the office of the DSS in Yenagoa and released to their family members and friends, who milled around the agency’s office.

    Some of the suspects were seen shedding tears of joy in the warm embrace of their friends when they finally marched out of the DSS facility.

    The suspects looked unkempt with overgrown bears, rough skin and dirty clothes.

    One of them, who identified himself as Clinton Ohaigbofa, confirmed that suspects held without trial were being massively released across the country.

    Clinton, who hails from Ebedebiri in Ogbia Local Government Area, attributed the development to the disposition of the new DSS boss.

    He said they were held in underground cells in Abuja for over two years, adding that they untold hardship.

    The  IYC in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado, expressed satisfaction and comfort with the recent strides of Seifa describing him as a true democrat.

    Kemepado said the recent release of persons detained in the custody of the DSS without trial gave hope and value to democracy.

    He, however, urged Seifa to look into high profile cases detainees like that of El-zazaky, the leader of the Shiites in Nigeria and dispense fairness to all.

    He said: “IYC has spoken to colleagues from other ethnic nationalities and most have expressed their confidence that Mr. Seiyefa will tackle the humongous security challenges facing Nigeria today from Boko Haram to the herdsmen palava and to recent activities that threatens our democracy”.

    Kemepado thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Osibanjo for considering a competent son of the South of Nigeria to head the DSS.

    “This is positively contrary to our earlier beliefs that the President disrespected us. We want to appeal to President Buhari to confirm Seifa’s appointment as we are willing to work with him and others to sustain the peace in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta especially.

    “We call on all groups to continue to support Seiyefa with information and prayers for the overall good of all. The IYC appeals to Seiyefa not to yield to the antics of politicians but to uphold the values of his service and also uphold our growing democracy,” he said.

  • Alleged NASS invasion: PDP chides DSS

    ….hails sacking of DSS Boss

     

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ekiti chapter, on Tuesday condemned the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) for allegedly blocking the entrance to the  two chambers of the National Assembly and prevented some  Federal lawmakers from entering to perform their legitimate National assignment.

    The PDP said what the men of the DSS allegedly did at the Senate amounts to desecration of the Legislature, which it described as a potent arm of government that lends credence to the executive for good governance and giving efficiency to government’s policies.

    Read Also:NASS Blockade: Osinbajo summons IG, DSS Boss

    The party equally praised the sacking of the Director General of DSS, Lawan Daura, saying his action since assuming the top security seat in 2015 had been characterized with controversies, accusing the ex-security chief of always acting in a way that could destroy the nation’s
    democratic foundation.

    Speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the PDP State Chairman in Ekiti, Barrister Gboyega Oguntuase, said it was a national disgrace for masked DSS operatives to have blocked the National Assembly and insulated elected officials from performing their duties.

    The PDP spoke in reaction to the siege laid to the National Assembly on Tuesday, where many Senators were prevented from entering the chambers by DSS operatives and the sacking of the DSS DG by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) for undisclosed reasons.

    Oguntuase, who spoke through the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo , said the leadership of the Senate that were prevented from entering the chambers were called by  the Senate President to interface with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on the 2019 general elections.

    “Since inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in 2015, the DSS has been acting like politicians under many circumstances, the DSS under Lawan Daura has put democracy on trial and Nigerians need to act fast to prevent our democracy from being truncated by desperate individuals.

    “It is not only a desecration of the legislative arm for the chambers to be put under security siege, but a slap on Nigerians for those they took a whole day, staying inside sun and rain to elect to have been that disrespected under the guise of protecting few Senators who were
    desperate to oust the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

    “The National Assembly is a national symbol that deserves honour and respect of all institutions, particularly the security outfits. The situation was so bad to the extent that the Clerk of both chambers and staff were prevented from entering to perform the tasks for which they
    were being paid with tax payers’ money.

    “How would Nigerians look in the international community for 30 Senators to have sat and remove Senator Saraki, when the constitution was explicit that 2/3 majority is required to do such bidding?

    “Removing the cloak of politicking from DSS has become a serious burden to all Nigerians, because protecting the democracy we got after fighting the military for so  years , causing deaths of many priceless Nigerians is a task that must be achieved, it is no longer PDP or APC
    issue, it is about our collective destiny as a nation,” he stated.

    Speaking further on Daura’s ouster, Oguntuase said:  “We thank God that the ring leader of the dangerous cartel in DSS, Mr. Daura had been sacked. It could have been dangerous and harmful to us as a nation, for him to stay a day longer on that seat, because it was clear that he had made himself available for hatchet’s jobs.

    “So, PDP as a political party is happy about the FG’s position and we congratulate Nigerians for this bold step, for it will go a long way in protecting our democracy from total desecration and collapse,” the PDP leader asserted.

  • Uniosun shut over non academic staff protest

    The Osun State University was Monday closed down by the authorities following the institution’s non-academic staff union protest.

    The university’s Governing Council said the closure took immediate effect because of the protest “now pose danger to lives and properties within and around the university environment.”

    Registrar and Secretary to Council, Gafar Adebayo Shittu, in a statement said: “The Management wishes to sincerely apologize to parents, guardians and students for any inconveniences that this closure may cause. Efforts are geared towards addressing the prevalent lawlessness.

    “We urge our law abiding staff and students to remain calm and stay away from the campuses in the mean time.”

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union of UNIOSUN, Mr. Comrade Isaiah Fayemi, has expressed shock over the closure of the institution.

    He said: “We are surprised that the management decided to close down the university. Our protest has been very peaceful. We started the protest last week Wednesday. We are protesting because the management wants to sack some union leaders for exposing the atrocities of the Vice Chancellor.”

    Also, there was tension in the university after some operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the state allegedly attacked some workers  during the protest.

    It was gathered that the members of the non-teaching staff of the university had converged at the University Guest House at Olu Alabi Way, Opposite Ilelabo, G.R.A. Oke Fia, Osogbo to solidarise with some of their union leaders appearing before the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the school.

    The heavily armed DSS officers were said to have prevented some of the union leaders from gaining entry into the Guest House despite their explanation that they had been invited.

    The treasurer of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Comrade Hameed Owoh, was said to have been kicked with boots.

    Owoh, who reportedly lost consciousness following the alleged attack, was later rushed to a nearby private hospital where he was resuscitated and treated.

  • Yuletide: FRSC cautions drivers against drunk-driving

    Yuletide: FRSC cautions drivers against drunk-driving

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), on Friday, cautioned motorists against drunk- driving during the yuletide, which it said usually, resulted in road crashes.

    The FRSC said that many lives had been lost, especially during Christmas as a result of alcohol consumption by drivers, adding that it was collaborating with other stakeholders against the practice.

    Mrs. Dayo Odeleye, the Head of Operations, who represented Mr Vincent Jack, the Sector Commander, Ondo State, gave this warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after an ‘Ember Month Flag Off’ in Ore.

    NAN reports that the programme, which was tagged, “Right to Life not Negotiable’ was organised for commercial drivers and other road users in Ore.

    Jack also urged road users to ensure that their vehicles were always in good condition and that they should cooperate with FRSC officials on the highways during and after the ember months.

    “Road accidents around this time of the year are caused by human errors, especially drivers, who drink alcohol before setting out on their journeys.

    “We are making serious efforts with stakeholders to rid-off alcohol sellers at motor parks for the safety of lives and property on our highways,” Jack said.

    Earlier, Mr Phiilip Ozonnandi, the Unit Commander in Ore, had urged drivers to desist from the use of expired tyres and speeding, which he said were major causes of road crashes.

    The commander also said that the FRSC personnel would be deployed to the Benin-Ore expressway to arrest erring motorists, who violated traffic rules throughout the festive period.

    “We can no longer fold our hands and watch loss of lives and property because of speeding.

    “I urge drivers to install speed limiter in their vehicles, which is more useful in the reduction of speed to save lives and property,’’ Ozonnandi said.

    Meanwhile, Prince George Adenikinju, the Caretaker Chairman, Odigbo Local Government Area, also admonished drivers to always sensitise their members on road use and good conditions vehicles.

    In his response, Mr Sulimon Maruf, the Zonal Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ore Unit, who spoke on behalf of commercial drivers, urged his members to adhere strictly to traffic rules.

    He also said that the FRSC effort was to ensure that drivers do not end up in hospitals or mortuaries, which could put their families in disarray.

    In attendance at the event included representatives of transport unions including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN).

    Also present were the FRSC Marshals, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) and Public Complaints Commission.

  • Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to clamp down on fake job advertisers

    Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to clamp down on fake job advertisers

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday urged Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to work with security agencies to check the spate of fake job advertisements in the state.

    The call followed a motion moved by Mr Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe I) at the Assembly on the security challenges emanating from such fake adverts that were pasted on street walls in the state.

    Tobun prayed the House to call on Ambode to direct the Commissioner of Police, Department of State Security ( DSS ) and the State Neighborhood Safety Corps to curb the activities of scammers who defraud job seekers.

    “This motion is borne out of conviction. If you go around Lagos, you will be amazed seeing the number of adverts of jobs that are non-existent with a view to luring unsuspected youth into their dens,” he said.

    According to him, some victims are kidnapped, raped or even die in the process.

    “Ritual killers also use that as a strategy. It is time to track down this and ensure that it is nipped in the bud,“ Tobun, Acting Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure said.

    Contributing, the Acting Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Rotimi Olowo said: “When population is moving geometrically and job is growing arithmetically, there is going to be vacuum.

    “They come up with strategy to recruit and maim and kill. I am worried as a politician because 2019 is around the corner, people will believe the politicians are the ones who need human parts.’’

    Olowo said that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisements Agency ( LASAA ) must ensure scammers are detected.

    Also speaking, Mr Segun Olulade (APC-Epe II) called on the newly established Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps to do more in terms of intelligence gathering.

    “We have seen a lot of advertisements on walls in the streets claiming what they are not,’’ he said.

    Mr Yinka Ogundimu, on his part, said that emphasis should be laid on publicity and enlightenment.

    Ogundimu called for the sustenance of the state’s Employment Trust Fund, aimed at providing loans for small scale businesses.

    Mr Rasheed Makinde (APC-Ifako-Ijaiye II) in the House, who noted that he had once been a victim of such sharp practices, said that Lagos State was working assiduously to provide jobs.

    He urged the Federal Government to do the same to curb influx of unemployed youth into the state.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said: “it is not out of place to seek for jobs but the situation has turned upside down.

    “I strongly believe that the neighborhood safety corps is not doing enough in this aspect.’’

    Obasa called on the corps to verify claims on adverts placed on walls and liaise with the police in intelligence gathering to address the trend.

    NAN

  • Badoo: Ogun govt, security chiefs meet

    Badoo: Ogun govt, security chiefs meet

    ….warn cult group to steer clear of Ogun

     

    Ogun State government and security chiefs from the Army, Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among others, met on Wednesday to fashion out ways to prevent the deadly cult group – Badoo, from entering the state from Ikorodu – Lagos.

    The meeting which was chaired by Governor Ibikunle Amosun followed intelligence reports that the badoo group which had been visiting residence of with bloodshed, were planning to infiltrate the Gateway State.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who issued the warning while speaking with journalists on behalf of the government in Abeokuta, the state capital, after the meeting, said   the administration has taken proactive measures to secure the lives and property of its people against badoo cult group or other criminal elements.

    “We just rose from a meeting with the Governor and all the Security Chiefs where we evaluated the current challenges, especially as it relates to the Badoo cult group. We want to sound a note of warning to them not to come to Ogun State as we are determined to make our State uncomfortable for them to operate.

    “We have mapped out our plans to deal with them and we are leaving no stone unturned in this regard,” Adeoluwa said.

    He reiterated the Government’s commitment to investing heavily in security, and urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities peacefully without any apprehension.

    He explained that security agencies in the state were working hand in hand to ensure their safety at all times, as the state government would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements, under whatever guise unleash terror on people.

    And Speaking on behalf of the Service Chiefs in the state, the Commissioner for Police, Ahmed Illiyasu said “the security agencies in the state are united and committed,” adding that they “are ready to dislodge any criminal and bring them down.”

     

  • Customs destroy N1b worth of imported poultry

    Customs destroy N1b worth of imported poultry

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C Owerri, covering the Southeast and South-South states, Saturday destroyed impounded frozen poultry products with Duty Paid Value of N1, 275,712,500.

    The 102, 099 cartons of frozen poultry products which were intercepted at various point within the Zone, were said to be illegally imported.

    The Customs Area Controller in charge of FOU Zone ‘C’, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, said the figure was the total of seizures of poultry products made by the Zone since he assumed duty in October 2016, adding that the impounded products have been destroyed in accordance with government policy.

    Mohammed restated that poultry products are still under import prohibition, warning that “any of such found will be seized and destroyed in compliance with the relevant laws and government policies”.

    Given a graphic detail of how one of the seizures was made, the Controller, revealed that “operatives of the FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri on Thursday 19th April 2017 intercepted 24,032 cartons of imported frozen poultry products with Duty Paid Value of N259, 545,600, conveyed in a Mack Truck with registration number AJL 861 XA along Benin Ekiadolor axis by Lagos Expressway, Edo State. The poultry items include turkey parts, chicken parts, poultry gizzard amongst others”.

    Speaking during the destruction of the seized poultry in Benin, Mohammed, noted that the seizures were achieved through the diligence of his officers and men, who he said have recently been encouraged to put in their best with the recent promotion of Officers and men of the Service by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd).

    He reiterated the commitment of his officers to ensure that smuggling is brought to a minimal level.

    According to him, “as trained officers in the course of our duty when we intercept any suspected goods and confirm it to be brought in contrary to the laws it will be seized and disposed of. We will continue to make sure that the public is adequately informed so that importation will be done in conformity with the laws and we will stem the menace of smuggling”.

    He further advised Nigerians against the importation of frozen poultry products, stressing that, “it adversely affect the nation’s poultry industry and have been adjudged by health authorities to be injurious to health”.

    Mohammed continued that, “we have to encourage farmers and those in the agriculture sector to be productive, self-reliant, provide employment and boost the economy instead of sending out our foreign exchange and encouraging capital flight”.

    He disclosed that three suspects were arrested in connection with the recent seizures made in Benin, adding that they will soon be charged to court, while enjoining smugglers to shun the illicit business and engage in legitimate trade to boost the nation’s economy.

    On hand to witness the destruction of the poultry products were representatives of other security agencies including the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)