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Tag: DSS

  • DSS arrests three for assaulting officers during Lagos Assembly crisis

    DSS arrests three for assaulting officers during Lagos Assembly crisis

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons for assault on its officers during the crisis in the Lagos Assembly on February 17, The Nation gathered on Saturday.

    A source in the Service said lawmakers mobilised supporters to the Assembly Complex that they attacked some of the officers invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility.

    The source said: “After extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects.

    Read Also: Murder: Traditional rulers send SOS to police, DSS, Aiyedatiwa, others

    “The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos.

    “The trio has since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court”

    The Lagos Assembly in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025, addressed to the DSS Director and heads of other security agencies in Lagos State, said there was credible information that the ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself on February 18, 2025.

    Accordingly, the Assembly management held the view that the development posed “a potential security threat.”

  • AIT, Channels TV apologise to DSS over reports on Lagos Assembly incident

    AIT, Channels TV apologise to DSS over reports on Lagos Assembly incident

    Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television have issued public apologies to the Department of State Services (DSS) over their reports on the agency’s alleged involvement in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis on February 17.

    During its News Hour program, AIT News formally retracted its initial report, clarifying that it was based on eyewitness accounts. 

    The station admitted that the information was incomplete and inadvertently misrepresented the role of the DSS.

    In an official statement, AIT stated:

    “AIT News wishes to apologise to the Department of State Services, DSS, for the news item broadcast during our bulletin on Monday, 17th February 2025, regarding the presence of DSS officers at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Our intention was not to malign or embarrass the DSS, an institution we hold in the highest regard for its critical role in safeguarding our nation.

    “Our reporting was based on eyewitness accounts and information obtained from sources at the Lagos State House of Assembly. However, we recognise that the report may have been incomplete and unintentionally misrepresented the service and the presence at the State House of Assembly. We hereby regret any embarrassment this may have caused.”

    Meanwhile, Channels TV, on Friday, also offered an apology during its program, Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, where the former Assistant Director-General of the DSS, Muhammed Ngoshe, was a guest.

    Read Also: Meranda: I’m still Lagos Assembly Speaker

    Okinbaloye stated that the situation had been misinterpreted with initial videos portraying a picture of lawmakers shocked by the DSS presence, suggesting an invasion by the DSS.

    However, it was later revealed that the clerk of the House had formally requested the DSS’s presence for protection.

    Okinbaloye said, “It came to light in some of the letters that we actually now saw that it was the clerk of the Lagos Assembly who actually wrote for DSS protection at the House of Assembly. But if you look at the video, it was made to appear as though the lawmakers were fighting to get inside and they were shocked that DSS was there.

    “I think it’s right to apologise to the service to say the use of invasion might not be the right word to use because it was portrayed as though the DSS invaded, they were not invited, but it came to light that there was no decency in how they carried out their work.

    He noted that subsequent revelations confirmed that the Lagos Assembly Clerk had indeed requested DSS protection.

    “If you look at the video, it was made to appear as though the lawmakers were fighting to get inside and they were shocked that DSS was there,” Seun explained. “And I think it’s right to apologise to the service to say, I mean, the use of invasion might not be the right word to use.”

    Further clarifying the legal authority of the DSS, Seun stated:

    “You know, clearly you’re stating, and from what we even understand, that DSS has the power under the law to move into any place as they deem fit. Is that right?”

    In response, Ngoshe expressed appreciation for the clarification and the acknowledgment of the DSS’s role, while also calling for official apologies to be communicated directly to the agency.

    “I hope the apologies will be carried to the DSS officially. Because we need to stop some of those things,” he stated.

    Recall that the DSS had threatened legal action against both media stations, accusing them of publishing false and malicious reports.

  • Murder: Traditional rulers send SOS to police, DSS, Aiyedatiwa, others

    Murder: Traditional rulers send SOS to police, DSS, Aiyedatiwa, others

    The Council of Chiefs and Baales in Ugbonla has sent letters of Save Our Souls to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Director of State Services, and other security agencies in the state to look into the case of murder of Bababo Lowo, and bodily harm inflicted on the Baale of Ugboland community, Chief Adebowale Ebiwanno, among others by rampaging gangsters which invaded the community recently.

    The traditional rulers who rose from their meeting held on Saturday 15th February 2025 on the ongoing crisis in Ugboland, said many people had fled the community, hibernating in neighbouring communities for their safety.

    According to a communique made available to journalists by the concerned monarchs, and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Council of Baales, Chief Ibukunola Owowa and Chief Idowu Agbejoye respectively,

    , the council alleged that the crisis, from their investigations, was perpetuated by a group of people.

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    According to the communique, the violent attacks by the gangsters led to the death of Mr Bababo Lowo,  and attempts on the lives of  Chief Adebowale Ebiwano, the Baale of Ugbonla and other persons, who were badly injured and bruised with dangerous weapons by these gangsters in Ugbonla community.

    The Council unanimously condemned the criminal act in the community.

    It therefore called on the government of Ondo State to investigate the reported incidents and arrest the perpetrators and sponsors of “these murderous acts and bring to ensure that justice is served.”

    The  Council also called on the Commissioner of Police; the State Director, the Department of State Service, Ondo State and other security agencies to wade into this situation and save the lives of innocent people and residents in the Ugbonla community who are being hunted down like animals in the bush.

    “We hope these murderers will be brought to book immediately by the Government,” the Council said.

  • We must revive communal culture to combat insecurity, says DSS DG 

    We must revive communal culture to combat insecurity, says DSS DG 

    The Director-General of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has emphasised active participation of civilian communities to combat insecurity in the country.

    He said since it was impossible to deploy security agents to every community in the country, communities must brave-up to be the first-line of defence against insecurity.

    The DSS boss said this at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre in Abuja, on Thursday, 

    He said: “For me, there are three takeaways from this lecture. What is our culture? Our culture is communal; we do things together. We do festivals together. We do ceremonies together. So why can’t we fight some miscreants, some shenanigans among us together?

    “Most of you will remember an incident in Azaire, in Bauchi State. A group of terrorists, had invaded Azaire. They were shooting in an attempt to kidnap people from the community. They killed some members from the community, but the community members killed a lot of the terrorists.The community stood it ground. The people were resilient.

    “Since that day, there has not been one terrorist attack in Azaire. As a matter of fact, the former head of state, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, said, and I quote, ‘if we want to stop this terrorism, we should learn from the people of Azaire’. 

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    “This is what the people of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa also did…They did not only killed the terrorists, they also seized their weapons, and since then you hardly hear about attacks in Tafawa Balewa. 

    “What I am trying to say, the practical approach to mobilizing people is that you have to get everyone involved. And this is the way we have to do it. We have to allow some level of armament for the communities, so that they can serve as the first line of defense.” 

    Ajayi emphasized the importance of community policing, where citizens take an active role in maintaining law and order, as a key strategy for Nigerians to combat insecurity and promote peace in their communities and across the country. 

    The DSS boss believes that by working together, citizens and security agencies can identify and address the root causes of crime, build trust, and create a safer environment for everyone. 

    He said: “The second takeaway from the lecture is the whole-of-society approach. This is not the first time we are hearing. But what I’m saying, the way to do it is when we leave here. Those of us who have some influence, the elites in society, discuss with your communities, come to us, get some sort of approval and guidance. And then we can stop these criminals.

    “You do not expect the Nigerian army, police, DSS, to protect every Nigerian or every government. It is not going to work… it is impossible for us to deploy to every community in the country. It is unimaginable that any security agencies have the resources to do it. So as we live here, we all belong to one community or the other.

    “When I hear people talk about insecurity in Nigeria; as long as human beings exist, there will be security problems. The issue is the response…We have to get the communities to rise and defend themselves. And the time to start it is now.”

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Resource Centre, Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (Rtd) called for a significant shift in the country’s security approach. 

    Wahab, who was the Guest Lecturer, believed that the responsibility for security should be more people-centred, which means that instead of relying solely on the military and law enforcement to keep the country safe, citizens should take an active role in maintaining security and preventing crime in their communities. 

    By doing so, Wahab believed that would create a more collaborative and effective security system, where everyone works together to build a safer country. 

  • PDP crisis: Anyanwu petitions police, DSS; asksfor security enforcement of Appeal Court order

    PDP crisis: Anyanwu petitions police, DSS; asksfor security enforcement of Appeal Court order

    • Says PDP govs inviting chaos through communique supporting Ude-Okoye

    The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, yesterday took his case to the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), 24 hours after the PDP Governors Forum decided to support his rival for the office, Sunday Ude-Okoye.

    Anyanwu sought the intervention of the security agencies and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the January 13, 2025 order of the Court of Appeal directing all the parties involved in his case to “maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive application.”

    In effect, he wants security protection to enable him access his office at the PDP National Secretariat to continue to carry out his duties as opposed to Ude-Okoye.

    Anyanwu has already filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to overturn the December 20, 2024 judgment of the Court of Appeal that Ude-Okoye should replace him (Anyanwu) as National Secretary.

    The PDP Governors’ Forum, during its Friday meeting in Asaba, hinged its decision to back Ude-Okoye on the December ruling.

    The governors directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to abide by and implement the court’s decision.

    However, Anyanwu, in his first reaction to the governors’ position late Friday insisted that he remained the National Secretary of the party, having obtained a stay of execution on the Court of Appeal’s decision.

    He said the Asaba communiqué on his status was nothing to worry about.

    But yesterday, he sent a petition to the Inspector General of Police, asking for the deployment of armed security personnel at the party’s national secretariat to enforce the Court of Appeal’s order on maintaining the status quo ante bellum and to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

    Copies of the petition were sent to the Director General of the DSS, the Comptroller General of the NSCDC, President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria through the Supreme Court.

    Anyanwu, in the petition entitled Security Alert: The Advice of PDP Governors Forum to the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party an Invitation to Chaos and Affront to the Rule Of Law,” drew the attention of the police to what he called an urgent need to “take note of Paragraph 3 of the communique issued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum after their meeting which took place in Asaba, Delta State on Friday, January 31, 2025.”

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    He said: “In the quoted Paragraph 3 of the communique, the Forum advised the NWC to set up machinery for the implementation of the Enugu Court of Appeal judgment which favoured the nomination of SKD Ude -Okoye as the National Secretary of the party.

    “The police should be aware that an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court against the quoted judgment; furthermore, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja granted an order on January 13, 2025, clearly directing both parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive application.

    “The order accordingly was duly served on all parties concerned, including the National Working Committee of PDP and INEC.

    “It is a settled matter in law that when a judgment is appealed against to a superior court, all parties should maintain status quo ante belum till the matter is finally determined. The Governors cannot claim ignorance of this position of law before issuing their statement, which runs in conflict with the court decision.”

    He reminded the police of the January 29, 2025 alleged invasion of the PDP National Secretariat by “hired thugs and bandits to unleash attacks intended to disrupt “a meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT); an action he described as  “completely unlawful and in total disregard to the judiciary and the rule of law.”

    He said it was saddening that “the Governors in their expected wisdom have allowed themselves to be deceived by the sponsors of Ude- Okoye.”

    He claimed that some people are already “facing criminal investigations by the police” for allegedly forging PDP guidelines which “they used to mislead the courts in securing the ill-fated judgments.”

    He expressed concerns about likely and deliberate invitation to chaos at the PDP National Secretariat and urged the IGP, DG of DSS and the courts to seriously consider logical options to avert such.

    His words: “Police is therefore being alerted of the grave dangers that will ensue in the attempt of the NWC to implement the quoted advice of the PDP Governors Forum enshrined in paragraph 3 of their communique; it will be an invitation to chaos and affront to the judiciary and the rule of law, especially when the matter is pending before the superior courts for determination.

    “I am by this letter calling on you to take necessary steps to forestall the crises being instigated by PDP governors and the sponsors of Ude- Okoye; the National Working Committee of PDP should be advised to refrain from any action that will be contrary to the position of the court on this matter.

    “It is my right as a lawful citizen to seek justice against a judgment that was fraudulently secured against me.

    “In the interest of peace, safety of lives and property of innocent Nigerians, all parties to this case should be cautioned to conduct themselves in line with the rule of law and decision of the Court of Appeal to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion. Anything contrary to this will be vehemently resisted.

    “I still remain the validly elected National Secretary of PDP until the court rules otherwise.”

    On Friday, he said the PDP constitution does not recognise the Governors’ Forum as a formal or constitutional organ of the party.

    “It is only a pressure group, so their communique is advisory,” he said.

    “It is very likely that that they did that today (yesterday) to please Governor Peter Mbah who spearheaded this.

    “The Constitution of Nigeria and the courts of the land tower above all; the Appeal Court gave an order for a stay of execution that is in my favour and it is clear that as we speak today, in compliance with the law and the order of the court of law, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not dare deal with any other person in PDP as National Secretary except me.

    The PDP crisis erupted soon after the May 2022 presidential primary where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was picked as the party’s flag bearer.

    A group in the party, led by the then governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike and comprising four other governors, had demanded the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman to avoid a situation where Northerners would hold both the presidential ticket and chairmanship position.

    The Atiku faction refused to accede to the request.

    Wike and his group took that as a violation of the principle of equity within the party and vowed to not work for PDP in the 2023 election campaign.

    They carried out their threat and the party lost at the polls.

    The crisis has lingered ever since, and with the 2027 elections approaching, the two sides are now locked in a fierce battle for the control of the soul of the party with each side determined to have its own supporters run the party.

    The objective is that the side with its people in charge of the NWC will have an edge in producing the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.

    It is widely believed that Atiku is still interested in the presidential race.

    A former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Friday decried the situation in his party and warned that the unresolved internal wrangling could cost it the 2027 elections

    He said: “I have always stated that when you have a little problem and you don’t arrest it on time, it becomes cancerous and affects everybody.

    “I believe that at the stage we are, whatever is happening between the two Secretaries—Anyanwu and the other former National Youth Leader of the party—is a reflection of the lackluster approach to solving this problem.

    “I was disgusted and ashamed that this kind of crisis would get to a crescendo where our public image is being eroded. It was a show of shame and very disgraceful.

    “My take is this: the contentious matter is that the former youth leader went to the Court of Appeal, which gave him judgment that he was right to take over the office of the National Secretary, and Anyanwu went to another court that ordered the status quo to be maintained.

    “It looks depressing and disgusting when you consider that a party, which is like an Iroko tree, is being decimated because of personal ambition. It bothers some of us who have been part of the party since 1998.

    “Resolving this crisis at the midpoint doesn’t make any political sense. Let us set up a committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of what happened.

    “All sides of the divide are making us very angry. People are starting to say that our party is dead, but we say no, we can disagree without being disagreeable.

    “I will remain consistent in my argument that we must go to the root of this madness so that it will never repeat itself.

    “We have to set up a proper committee to resolve the mess from that convention. We must avoid this dirty public image.”

  • DSS files terrorism charges against ‘activist’ Mahdi Shehu

    DSS files terrorism charges against ‘activist’ Mahdi Shehu

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed five counts of terrorism-related charges against self-styled activist Muhammad Mahdi Shehu at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

    The Nation gathered yesterday that the development followed a motion ex parte filed by the agency a day earlier, seeking an order to detain Shehu for 60 days.

    The motion was filed under Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, reliable sources informed.

    Granting the order, Justice Rilwan Aikawa ruled that the DSS could detain Shehu for 60 days to allow their officers to conclude investigations.

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    The charges against Shehu include: false publication to cause public alarm, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act; Dissemination of terrorism-related false information, contrary to Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Intentional dissemination of false information, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).

    Others are false allegations of treasonable acts, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act and the use of social media to support false allegations of a national security threat, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act.

    The DSS had recently arrested Shehu following his circulation of doctored videos claiming that the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in northern Nigeria.

  • DSS files terrorism charges against Mahdi Shehu

    DSS files terrorism charges against Mahdi Shehu

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday, January 17, 2025, filed five counts of terrorism-related charges against self-styled activist, Muhammad Mahdi Shehu at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

    The Nation gathered on Wednesday that the development followed a motion ex parte filed by the DSS a day earlier, seeking an order to detain Shehu for 60 days. 

    The motion was filed under Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, reliable sources informed. 

    Granting the order, Justice Rilwan Aikawa ruled that the DSS could detain Shehu for 60 days to allow their officers to conclude investigations.

    The charges against Shehu include: false publication to cause public alarm, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act; Dissemination of terrorism-related false information, contrary to Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Intentional dissemination of false information, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).

    Read Also: Activist Mahdi Shehu granted N3m bail over alleged fake video

    Others are false allegation of treasonable act, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act and the use of social media to support false allegations of a national security threat, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act.

    The DSS had recently arrested Shehu following his circulation of doctored videos claiming that the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in northern Nigeria. 

  • Court orders DSS to release Miyetti Allah’s president pending trial

    Court orders DSS to release Miyetti Allah’s president pending trial

    An Abuja High Court has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, pending his trial.

    Justice Mohammed Zubairu ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, to immediately admit him to administrative bail.

    Justice Zubairu, a vacation judge, made the order following an ex parte motion moved by Bodejo’s counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN).

    Although the motion ex parte was moved by Atabo on Monday, the certified true copy (CTC) of the order was made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    NAN earlier reported that Bodejo, in the motion dated and filed on December 19, had prayed the court to order his release from the detention of State Security Service (SSS), also known as DSS, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

    He also sought an order granting him leave to apply for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum against the respondents.

    Habeas corpus subjiciendum is a Latin phrase and a legal term used to describe a writ that is directed to someone who is detaining another person to inquire into the legality of the detention.

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    The Miyetti Allah president sued the AGF and the director general of SSS as the first and second respondents.

    He sought “an interim order directing the respondents to, forthwith, produce the applicant from detention for him to be released, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application for habeas corpus subjiciendum”.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Zubairu acknowledged the statutory powers of the respondents to prevent crime and criminality, which include arrest, detention, and prosecution of offenders.

    The judge held that such powers are subject to constitutional limits/restrictions, as provided under Section 35 of 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a suspect can only be detained within 24 or 48 hours.

    According to him, the 24 or 48 hours is sacrosanct.

    Justice Zubairu said: “Courts must be ready and up and doing to ensure that the constitutional provisions are adhered to and not violated.

    “In the case at hand, having gone through the deposition of Hauwa Muhammad Bodejo in the supporting affidavit, I am moved to grant leave to the applicant to apply for an Order of Habeas Carpus.

    “Consequently, leave is hereby granted to the applicant to so apply. I so hold.

    “I further order that the applicant shall file the substantive application within 24 hours from today for the purpose of determining the merit or otherwise of the application.

    The judge adjourned the matter till December 30 for hearing.

  • Deploy security personnel to Edo communities to safeguard lives, Reps tell IGP, DSS

    Deploy security personnel to Edo communities to safeguard lives, Reps tell IGP, DSS

    The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and Director General, Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy security personnel to communities in Edo state to safeguard the lives and property of the people.

    The House also tasked the security agencies to investigate the killings of innocent persons in communities in Itsukwi, Imegba, Okpekpe, and Imiakebu communities in Etsako East local government area of Edo state to fish out those behind the act.

    Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) the House called for financial assistance to those whose farmland was destroyed by the attackers to enable them to prepare for the farming season.

    Leading a debate on the motion, Osawaru reminded the House that Section 14 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended) provides that the people’s security and welfare shall be the government’s primary purpose.

    He said: “Section 17 (b) of the Constitution provides that the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced; governmental actions shall be humane.

    “Also, Chapter 4 of the nation’s Constitution in Section 33 (1) provides that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”

    Osawaru said every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person” and accordingly, “No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.”

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    He disclosed that “on Monday, October 28, 2024, herdsmen invaded Ugbereke, a popular farmland known for its fertility, and destroyed completely the yam plantation of a youth leader in Itsukwi community (Ward 9, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State), Mr. Samuel Igbeneghu.

    “On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, three farmers by the names Umuagene Obey, Emuesugheli Obi and Ogbitabu Imoudumhe (all from Okpekpe community in Ward 10, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State were ambushed on the way to their farms and brutally murdered by suspected herdsmen.

    “On the same day, the killers made their way to Ugbereke, and killed one Undyar Aondongu, male, while at five women were beaten and left to flee with various degrees of injuries.

    “If the federal government fails to take the necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the people; acute hunger owing to food scarcity would be the natural consequence, not just for the people of the area but the entire Etsako East Local Government Area and by extension, Edo State as a whole.”

  • DSS report on traditional stool of Anambra community missing

    DSS report on traditional stool of Anambra community missing

    The report by the Department of Security Service, (DSS) in Anambra state, on the Ojoto community traditional stool saga is missing from the government records, The Nation learnt.

    As a result, higher authorities have directed the Anambra state government to produce the document without further delay for peace to return in the area.

    The Nation gathered that the DSS submitted the report to the state government after investigations that would lead to the crowning ceremony

    Two persons are contesting the traditional stool of the community. They are, Chief Gerald Mbamalu and Chief Dennis Okafor.

    The former was handed over the staff of office and certificate by the government, after the community had selected and elected the latter and presented him to the local government and state.

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    The people were waiting for the official announcement from the government when the community heard a different result. The situation drew bad blood in the community

    One of the senior police officers, who revealed this to The Nation, said the said authorities had deployed many security operatives in plain clothes to the community.

    “There are people up there that don’t like what is going on in many places in Nigeria, the reason, the issue of militant groups springing up in different parts of the country.

    “People of that community should be careful because anyone picked must go in for it no matter his status in the society.

    “The state government should show neutrality instead of causing confusion in communities. If the people made their choice, it has to be so because they own the place and know who they want.

    “We learnt the matter is in court in Anambra, let them wait to hear the court verdict.

    “But the personnel deployed to the area to maintain peace will not hesitate to pick anyone found wanting. Such troops had equally been deployed to many areas in Nigeria, not only in Anambra,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, one of lawyers to the plaintiffs in the Ojoto community traditional stool tussle, Kingsley Iruba, told the presiding judge, Justice, Emeka Nri-Ezedi when the matter came up on Thursday, that the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters should be made to present the DSS report to the court and not to appear as a witness.