The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DSS

  • Insecurity: DSS grills Maku for five hours

    Insecurity: DSS grills Maku for five hours

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labaran Maku, was on Tuesday grilled for over five hours by the Nasarawa State command of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Lafia.

    Maku, who said he was invited by the agency to address issues bordering on his personal safety and security of the state, did not give details of his chat with the DSS.

    The former Minister of Information urged politicians to join hands and ensure peace and development in their communities.

    He said: “I was a commissioner, deputy governor in Nasarawa State and minister at the federal level. But today I am no longer in position, but I can still move around freely because I serve the country very well and refused to be corrupt.

    “So, leaders should understand that the authority and privilege of every public officer would surely end one day whether we like it or not.”

    Maku also described his invitation by the DSS as a good one, adding that it has nothing to do with the speculation in the social media that he would be arrested over the Ombatse saga of 2013.

     

  • Afegbua cries out after DSS grilling: my life is in danger

    Afegbua cries out after DSS grilling: my life is in danger

    Kassim Afegbua, spokesman to ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida, claimed yesterday that he has been receiving  death threats from unknown quarters following his issuance of a statement asking President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison his reelection bid in 2019.

    The authors of the death threats are not sparing his family, Afegbua claimed, moments after his interrogation on the statement, by  the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    The former Edo State commissioner said in a statement in Abuja that he has been receiving phone calls threatening him and his family.

    But he vowed that he would never be  intimidated by anyone or group for issuing the  statement, claiming that nothing would stop him from  exercising his right of free speech.

    Afegbua was first invited for questioning by the police on Wednesday  and later by the DSS over the controversial statement.

    “In the last six days, I have gone through traumatic experience when I was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police. By the strength of that unprofessional declaration, I was treated like a common criminal and fugitive until I showed up at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, to physically present myself.

    “After what the Police termed a no case issue, they were apologetic and I took my leave.

    ” In the evening of that day, Wednesday, February 7, 2018, I got a phone call inviting me to the Headquarters of the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    “I honoured the invitation on Thursday and spent seven hours waiting for attention. I left the office at 6.50pm when it became clear nobody was ready to tell me what the invitation was meant for. I was informed to report back on Friday 9th February, 2018 at 11am.

    “On arrival on Friday, having spent two hours, I was attended to by the Director of Operations and two others who interrogated me on the said statement I issued.

    ” My interrogation was recorded electronically and was made to write a statement affirming the issued statement, having collected all my personal details; house address, account number, international passport number and other information.

    “I find this whole episode quite nauseating and utterly condemnable. I cannot rationalise why just a statement would amount to subjecting me to rigorous interrogation especially when there was no complainant.”

    He added: “The action of the Nigeria Police coupled with that of the State Security Service is at best that of a meddlesome interloper and sheer bullying, leaving serious developmental issues to chasing shadows with a view to intimidate, harass and embarrass me.

    “Let me state at this point, that my life is in danger as we speak. I have been receiving series of unknown phone calls from people threatening me and my family.

    “But I am resolute in the true spirit of a free born, that threats, intimidation, harassment and psychological torturing has never and will not stop me from exercising my right of free speech as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; as well as carrying  out my professional  responsibility.

    “I am most humbled. And the Almighty Allah will meet all of you in your hour of need. On a lighter note, the support, accolades and motivation I received during this period have given me added confidence to seek elective public office in no distant future.”

    Babangida,in the contentious  statement ,had said inter alia: ” In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country.

    ” While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running. While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest. “This is the time for us to reinvent the will and tap into the resourcefulness of the younger generation, stimulate their entrepreneurial initiatives and provoke a conduce environment to grow national economy both at the micro and macro levels.?”Contemporary leadership has to be proactive and not reactive. It must factor in citizens’ participation. Its language of discourse must be persuasive not agitated and abusive. It must give room for confidence building. It must build consensus and form aggregate opinion on any issue to reflect the wishes of the people across the country.

    “It must gauge the mood of the country at every point in time in order to send the right message. It must share in their aspirations and give them cause to have confidence in the system. Modern leadership is not just about “fighting” corruption, it is about plugging the leakages and building systems that will militate against corruption.

    “Accountability in leadership should flow from copious examples. It goes beyond mere sloganeering. My support for a new breed leadership derives from the understanding that it will show a marked departure from recycled leadership to creating new paradigms that will breathe fresh air into our present polluted leadership actuality.?”My intervention in the governance process of Nigeria wasn’t an accident of history. Even as a military government, we had a clear-cut policy agenda on what we needed to achieve. We recruited some of the best brains and introduced policies that remain some of the best in our effort to re-engineer our polity and nation.

    “We saw the future of Nigeria but lack of continuity in government and of policies killed some of our intentions and initiatives. Even though we did not provide answers to all the developmental challenges that confronted us as at that time, we were not short of taking decisions whenever the need arose.”

  • My life is in danger, says Afegbua

    My life is in danger, says Afegbua

    *But vows:I won’t succumb to intimidation

    *Dismisses Police, DSS as interlopers engaging in bullying

     

    Prince Kassim Afegbua, spokesman to ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida, claimed on Friday that he has been receiving death threats from unknown quarters following his issuance of a statement asking President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison his reelection bid in 2019.

    The authors of the death threats are not sparing his family, Afegbua said moments after his interrogation on the statement by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    The former EdoState commissioner said in a statement in Abuja that he has been receiving phone calls threatening him and his family.

    But he vowed that never would he be intimidated by anyone or group for issuing the statement .

    He was first invited for questioning by the police on Wednesday and later by the DSS on the statement.

    Afegbua declared that nothing would stop him from exercising his right of free speech.

    His words: “In the last six days, I have gone through traumatic experience when I was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police.

    “ By the strength of that unprofessional declaration, I was treated like a common criminal and fugitive until I showed up at the Police Headquarters Abuja to physically present myself.

    “After what the Police termed a no case issue, they were apologetic and I took my leave.

    “ In the evening of that day, Wednesday 7th February, 2018 I got a phone call inviting me to the Headquarters of the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    “I honoured the invitation on Thursday and spent seven hours waiting for attention. I left the office at 6.50pm when it became clear nobody was ready to tell me what the invitation was meant for. I was informed to report back on Friday 9th February, 2018 at 11am.

    “On arrival on Friday, having spent two hours, I was attended to by the Director of Operations and two others who interrogated me on the said statement I issued.

    ” My interrogation was recorded electronically and was made to write a statement affirming the issued statement, having collected all my personal details; house address, account number, international passport number and other information.

    “I find this whole episode quite nauseating and utterly condemnable. I cannot rationalise why just a statement would amount to subjecting me to rigorous interrogation especially when there was no complainant.”

    Afegbua said the Nigeria Police and the DSS were at best meddlesome interloper engaging in sheer bullying,

    He added: “The action of the Nigeria Police coupled with that of the State Security Service is at best that of a meddlesome interloper and sheer bullying, leaving serious developmental issues to chasing shadows with a view to intimidate, harass and embarrass me.

    “Let me state at this point that my life is in danger as we speak. I have been receiving series of unknown phone calls from people threatening me and my family.

    “But I am resolute in the true spirit of a free born, that threats, intimidation, harassment and psychological torturing has never and will not stop me from exercising my right of free speech as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; as well as carrying out my professional responsibility.

    “I will not submit to intimidation, harassment and threats. Certainly not. I have just a life to live and no one under God will live forever.”

     

    “This experience to me is an eye opener in so many ways. I feel a sense of personal gratitude to several of Nigeria’s foremost legal luminaries who maintained a constant touch and gave useful legal advice throughout the period of this travails.

    “I am most humbled. And the Almighty Allah will meet all of you in your hour of need. On a lighter note, the support, accolades and motivation I received during this period have given me added confidence to seek elective public office in no distant future.”

    “ I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running. While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest. “This is the time for us to reinvent the will and tap into the resourcefulness of the younger generation, stimulate their entrepreneurial initiatives and provoke a conduce environment to grow national economy both at the micro and macro levels.
    “Contemporary leadership has to be proactive and not reactive. It must factor in citizens’ participation. Its language of discourse must be persuasive not agitated and abusive. It must give room for confidence building. It must build consensus and form aggregate opinion on any issue to reflect the wishes of the people across the country.

    “It must gauge the mood of the country at every point in time in order to send the right message. It must share in their aspirations and give them cause to have confidence in the system. Modern leadership is not just about “fighting” corruption, it is about plugging the leakages and building systems that will militate against corruption.

    “Accountability in leadership should flow from copious examples. It goes beyond mere sloganeering. My support for a new breed leadership derives from the understanding that it will show a marked departure from recycled leadership to creating new paradigms that will breathe fresh air into our present polluted leadership actuality.
    “My intervention in the governance process of Nigeria wasn’t an accident of history. Even as a military government, we had a clear-cut policy agenda on what we needed to achieve. We recruited some of the best brains and introduced policies that remain some of the best in our effort to re-engineer our polity and nation.

    “We saw the future of Nigeria but lack of continuity in government and of policies killed some of our intentions and initiatives. Even though we did not provide answers to all the developmental challenges that confronted us as at that time, we were not short of taking decisions whenever the need arose.”

  • DSS asks Afegbua to report today

    DSS asks Afegbua to report today

    THE Department of State Security (DSS) has asked spokesperson to former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida Mr. Kassim Afegbua to report again to its Abuja office today.

    Afegbua’s lawyer Dr. Kayode Ajulo said his client was interrogated for hours by DSS operatives and directed to report at the Abuja headquarters of the agency “to conclude the chat” today.

    Afegbua arrived at the DSS’ expansive complex near the Presidential Villa in Abuja just before 12 noon yesterday.

    Yesterday evening, reporters’ wait near the DSS headquarters went unrewarded as Afegbua’s chat with DSS operatives became much longer than expected.

    The lawyer had written a letter to the DSS Director-General, querying the unexplained nature of the chat invitation on Wednesday night.

    The IBB spokesman was declared wanted by the police over a statement issued on behalf of Babangida calling on President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election.

    It was learnt that the police later apologised over the invitation.

  • Two herdsmen arraigned over murder of pregnant woman in Ekiti

    Two herdsmen arraigned over murder of pregnant woman in Ekiti

    The Department of States Service (DSS) has arraigned two suspected herdsmen, Namajo Mohammadu, and Abubakar Abase before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged murder and armed robbery.

    The DSS counsel, Mr. Olaoluwa Olatunbosun, told the court on Wednesday that the defendants committed the offense on January 18 in Ido-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendants on the said date, while armed with guns and other offensive weapons, unlawfully murdered one pregnant Tiv woman, Mrs. Muwaga Felix in her farm.

    Olatunbosun said the duo also robbed the people of the community.

    According to him, the offense is punishable under Section 516, 402 and 319 of the Criminal Code.

    The defendants were not represented by any counsel and their plea was not taken as well.

    The prosecution urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody pending the conclusion of the investigations.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Ropo Adegboye ordered that the defendants be kept in the DSS custody till the end of investigation.

    He adjourned the case till February 28 for mention.

  • Kidnapping: Army launches operation ‘Karamin Goro’ in Kaduna, Niger

    Kidnapping: Army launches operation ‘Karamin Goro’ in Kaduna, Niger

    The 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna has launched a special operation in parts of Kaduna and Niger States to tackle rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.

    The operation, code named ‘Karamin Goro’, will cover Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general area, a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole said on Thursday.

    Dole said in Kaduna that the special operation involved the Nigeria Air Force, Police, DSS operatives and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps.

    He said emerging cases of armed robberies, cattle rustling and kidnappings in the affected areas have continued to pose serious security threats to Nigerians.

    “These criminals use the thick forests as hideouts and major highways as staging areas to perpetuate their nefarious activities along highways,   major roads, adjoining towns and villages.

    “As a result of their dastardly acts, some remote villages were completely deserted, causing the residents to abandon their ancestral domains to unknown destinations for their safety.

    “In  response  to  these  re-emerging  security concerns,  the Division launched Operation Karamin Goro to clear the remnants of the criminals from their bases and ensure the safety of lives, properties and  safe movement of the people within these general areas.’’

    Dole said arrangements and measures had been put in place to ensure safe passage of persons, motorists and their properties along the areas of operation.

    He solicited the understanding, cooperation and support of the general public to ensure hitch free and successful operation.

    Dole also urged the general public to provide credible information to the security agencies that would lead to speedy execution of the exercise.

    He said that those with useful information should call 193 from any network provider for prompt response by security agencies.

  • Police, DSS raid Jewish synagogue, arrest two in Aba

    Police, DSS raid Jewish synagogue, arrest two in Aba

    A combined team of personnel of Abia State Police Command, soldiers and Department of State Security Services (DSS) has reportedly raided a Jewish synagogue located at No. 56 Imo Avenue off Faulks road Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

    Reports from the area have it that the soldiers, Policemen and officials of the DSS who came in about 8 Hilux vans raided the Jewish worship center and arrested wife of the Priest in-charge of the synagogue and a worshiper.

    The security agents according to information available to The Nation, reveals that the security personnel also arrested an Abuja based Hebrew teacher who was at the synagogue to teach members of the faith, Hebrew language.

    Some of the Jewish worshippers who spoke to our reporter over the development claimed that the security team also made away with Torah and Tanakh; Jewish study books during the raid.

    They also claimed that the suspects were taken to the Aba Central Police Station where they were being unlawfully detained by the police.

    They claimed that the security agents by their actions have desecrated the “Holy of the Holies of synagogue because they were not sanctified before entering into the Holy Place”.

    The worshippers who bemoaned the forceful invasion of their worship center by the security agencies and stated that it was a sacrilege for the security agencies to invade their worship center with their uncleanness.

    “I am sure that the security agencies would not have invaded their worship centers in the manner that they invaded our center. But simply because we are perceived to be in the minority, they decided to invade our worship center the way they did. Our religion is just for IPOB members, but for everyone. It is like the church where every person is allowed to come and pray just like Christians and Muslims do.

    “Why would they just invade here and took away our Torah and Tanakh? It shows that they don’t have respect for the Creator?

    A member who gave his name as Gideon said that there was no amount of intimidation from the security agents would deter them from worshipping their God as long as what they are doing is lawful.

    Efforts to reach Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Anthony Ogbizi and the Command’s spokesman, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna for comments failed as they were yet to pick several calls placed on their mobile phones.

  • DSS chained, threatened me with gun – Ex- Customs officer

    DSS chained, threatened me with gun – Ex- Customs officer

    A retired Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mahmud Hassan, told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly chained and threatened him with a gun in bid to force him to confess to a crime.

    His lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, alleged that his client was forced to make a statement at gun point.

    Hassan was arraigned along with four others before Justice Ayokunle Faji for allegedly importing arms and ammunition, including 661 pump action rifles, without license.

    DSS Head of Investigation, Mr. Wale Odu, while testifying on Tuesday, claimed that Hassan confessed to conspiring with others to use his company, Hassan Trading Limited, to import the arms.

    But, Galadima objected to the tendering of Hassan’s statement, saying it was not obtained voluntarily.

    The judge ordered a trial within trial to determine the statement’s trustworthiness.

    Testifying in the trial within trial on Wednesday, Odu said neither he nor his colleagues forced Hassan to make a statement.

    “I was directed to investigate the case and I interacted with the second defendant (Hassan). The interaction was always friendly. We did it under a very conducive atmosphere, in an air-conditioned and well-furnished room.

    “We served him good food. He ate thrice daily, very good and balanced diet. Every medical complaint he had, even headache, was taken care of by our doctors. There was no form of duress, coercion or pointing of gun at the defendant,” he said.

    Odu said Hassan explained his and others’ roles in the importation “without any form of coercion.”

    “After the interaction, the second defendant volunteered to reduce our interaction to writing. He was cautioned. The interaction was video recorded,” he added.

    While cross-examining Odu, Galadima claimed that DSS threatened his client.

    “I put it to you that the second defendant was always in chains,” the lawyer told Odu.

    The witness replied: “No. Our interaction with the witness was always friendly. The issue of being in chain doesn’t arise. Under my supervision, the defendant was never chained.”

    Galadima further alleged: “You threatened to kill the second defendant during the interview.”

    Odu also denied the allegation, saying it would be “unprofessional” for him or his men to threaten a suspect with a gun.

    “Our investigation is scientific. There’s a process. My interaction with him was without any threat,” he said.

    Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Mathew Okoye (at large) and Salihu Danjuma were arraigned on June 14 last year for illegally importing double barrel short guns, pump action rifles and single barrel shot guns (firearms) without authorisation.

  • Police train 147 officers in Zone 5 to counter terrorism

    Police train 147 officers in Zone 5 to counter terrorism

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said on Friday that 147 officers of the Nigeria Police Force and sister security agencies in Zone 5, have been trained to counter terrorism.

    The I-G made this disclosure at the closing ceremony of the five-day National Counter Terrorism Incident Commanders’ Management Course held in Benin.

    Idris represented by Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Johnson Kokumo, said that the Force would continue to synergise with sister security agencies to counter terrorism.

    “The Nigeria Police will continue to partner with other sister security agencies to curb any form of criminal activities, especially terrorism in the country.

    “The training is a clear indication of the willingness of police to synergize with sister security agencies to sustain peace in the country.

    “The training is to impart new security knowledge on the participants.

    “The Police will always make his officers and men available to attend similar training when called upon by sister security agencies,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the Assistant Commissioner, ACP Emmanuel Aina, urged the participants to domesticate the thematic concerns of the training in their various formation and agencies.

    He said the training has further exposed the participants to taking urgent steps to respond to emergencies timely without recourse to who should take the lead with other security agencies.

    Earlier, the lead facilitator for the training, CSP Okon Asuquo, thanked the I-G for approving the training.

    He said the training has further exposed participants to contemporary policing challenging issues through group discussion, presentations, simulations and lectures.

    He said the concern was to demonstrate practically various topics such as major incidents, method of terrorist attacks, and multi-agency response to incidents.

    The 147 officers drawn from the Police, Army, FRSC, NSCDC, EDSMA, Nigeria Fire Service, and DSS, who successfully participated in the training programme, were presented with certificates.

    NAN

  • Stakeholders urge FG to beef up security at Lagos airport

    Stakeholders urge FG to beef up security at Lagos airport

    Stakeholders in the aviation sector have called on the Federal Government to beef up security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, following recent alleged poaching of aircraft and stealing of baggage.

    They said on Monday in Lagos that security was the bottom line of aviation, hence the need to urgently address the issue.

    Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ), noted that such incidents were not good for the image of the country.

    “This is not a good story for the country.

    “We know that no outsider can come into the airport except maybe people that have been disengaged or maybe workers that are presently working at the airport but are being owed salaries and benefits.

    “Imagine a worker working in a security company, earning N40, 000 as salary, is approached by a passenger with 1,000 dollars to smuggle an illegal substance into an aircraft.

    Read also: Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    “Some of them will do the dirty job willingly but when such workers are given commensurate remuneration and benefits, they will not be easily enticed,” he said.

    Abioye urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ) to immediately invite all the security service providers to a round table where their operations could be properly reviewed.

    Also, the President of the Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr Gbenga Olowo, said there was need to centralised security at the airport and also deployed technology in strategic areas.

    “Today, we have Aviation Security of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ), Immigration, Air Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Directorate of State Security ( DSS ) and Police

    “We should centralised security at the airports. ART has been talking about this for some time because we must take the best model of aviation security by removing it from many hands.

    “We should stop these various agencies from setting up their individual desks. So, we should centralise security and deploy technology.

    “When you deploy technology, you don’t need a separate counter for narcotics or DSS because once you get to immigration, all your details will be there,” he said.

    NAN