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Tag: DSS

  • El-Zakzaky is not dead—DSS, lawyer

    El-Zakzaky is not dead—DSS, lawyer

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said yesterday  that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is not dead, contrary to rumours.

    El-Zakzaky’s lawyer, Mr.Femi Falana (SAN), also confirmed that he is alive although seriously ill.

    An official of the DSS, who preferred to remain anonymous, told newsmen that El-Zakzaky was hale and hearty.

    Reacting separately, he said the bullet in El-Zakzaky’s wife’s body is yet to be removed.

    The cleric and his wife sustained gunshot wounds during their arrests.

    ”Clinically he (El-Zakzaky) is not dead yet. But he is very sick,” Mr. Falana said.

    “He has lost an eye; he is in the process of losing the other one. He has developed stroke in detention.

    “Bullets in the wife’s body have not been removed since 2015,” he added.

    El-Zakzaky was arrested in 2015 after his members had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Also, 53 of his followers were arrested on Wednesday by the Police in Abuja following a violent protest.

    Since the arrest and detention of the group’s leader, his followers have been holding a series of protests in some cities in the country, calling for his release.

  • El-Zakzaky is alive – DSS

    El-Zakzaky is alive – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said on Friday that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is alive

    An official of DSS, who preferred to remain anonymous, said El-Zakzaky was hale and hearty.

    El-Zakzaky was arrested in 2015 after his members blocked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    53 of his followers were arrested on Wednesday by the police following a violent protest in Abuja.

    Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzaky, his followers had organised series of protests in cities across the country for his release.

    NAN

  • Jail break: DSS recaptures another escapee

    • Investigation over prison break concluded, says authority

    Men of the Department of State Services, (DSS) have rearrested another escapee from the Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State.

    He was handed over to the prison authority on December 31.

    The prisoners on December 27, last year attacked the prison’s kitchen staff that was on duty seizing an axe from a fellow inmate attached to the kitchen and inflicted a deep cut on the inmates’ head in the process and immediately made for the rear entrance to the prison.

    They broke the door with the axe and engaged the staff that chased after them in battle.

    At the end of the scuffle, four of them that sustained gun shots lost their lives while 36 were said to have escaped, 15 of them have now been recaptured.

    Controller Prisons, Akwa-Ibom State Command, Alex Oditah who told our correspondent through a telephone conversation said men of the Department of State Services, (DSS) and other security agencies are still combing the state to fish out the remaining escapees.

    Oditah was optimistic that the search parties that have been activated to effect their recapture of the remaining inmates are not resting on their oars.

    He also disclosed that the investigation team has concluded its assignment and they have submitted the panel report to the Controller General, (CG) of the Nigeria Prisons Service, (NPS), Ja’faru Ahmed.

    He said, “The DSS has recaptured another one on the 30 of December and he has been handed over to us. The people who came for the investigation have concluded it and they are on their way back to Abuja. They have submitted the report to the Comptroller General and he will study it and then he will make public the panel report.”

    Meanwhile the CG, NPS has visited the Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State to see the level of damage and how to further curb future occurrence.

    The NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore who disclosed this to our correspondent also said the Prison boss paid an official visit to the governor seeking cooperation to forestall future jailbreak in the state.

  • Jail break: DSS recaptures another fleeing inmate

    Jail break: DSS recaptures another fleeing inmate

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arrested another inmate that fled from the Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State, few weeks ago.

    He was handed over to the prison authority on December 31.

    The prisoners had on December 27 last year attacked the prison’s kitchen staff that and seized an axe from fellow inmate attached to the kitchen and inflicted a deep cut on the inmates’ head before escaping from the facility.

    Four inmates died in the ensuing scuffle while 36 others said escaped from the prison.

    However, 15 of them have now been recaptured.

    The Controller of Prisons, Akwa-Ibom State Command, Alex Oditah, who told our correspondent through a telephone conversation, said men of the DSS and other security agencies are still combing the state to fish out the other inmates that escaped from the facility.

    Oditah was optimistic that the search parties that had been activated to effect the recapture of the remaining inmates are not resting on their oars.

    He also said the investigating team set up by the prison authority to probe the incident has concluded its assignment and submitted the report to the Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Ja’faru Ahmed.

    He said: “The DSS has recaptured another inmate that fled from the Ikot Ekpene Prison and he has been handed over to us. The people who came for the investigation has concluded their assignment and are on their way back to Abuja. They have submitted the report to the controller general and he will study it and make public the panel report.”

     

     

  • DSS, EFCC, NIA, Senate panel meet over inter agency feud

    DSS, EFCC, NIA, Senate panel meet over inter agency feud

    THE Senate yesterday held a closed-door trouble-shooting meeting with the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, and Director, Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mohammed Dauda.

    The secret meeting followed the adoption of a motion on altercation between operatives of the three Federal Government agencies.

    The upper chamber had inaugurated an ad-hoc panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Monday, November 21 reported clash between operatives of the security agencies.

    EFCC and DSS operatives were reported to have been involved in a major stand-off over alleged moves to arrest a former Director-General of the Service, Mr. Ita  Ekpeyong, at his Maitama, Abuja home.

    Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) operatives were also said to have prevented EFCC operatives from arresting the agency’s sacked Director-General, Mr. Ayo Oke,? the same day in Abuja.

    The Senate, at its plenary on Tuesday, November 22, set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

    The Senator Francis Alimikhena-led committee was given two weeks to submit its report.

    Alimikhena asked the invitees whether they had any observation to make before the proper beginning of the investigative hearing.

    The Edo North senator said they needed to create a friendly atmosphere for the invitees to speak freely.

    He asked Daura, Magu and Dauda if they had any comments to make.

    Magu and Dauda appeared not to be opposed to the presence of reporters in the meeting. Daura noted that for them to speak frankly, the meeting should be held in camera.

    Daura said: “Mr. Chairman and other members, I have some reservations I need to make. This is a sensitive issue and I want to ask that journalists be asked to leave the room. The issues we will discuss here should not be for public consumption.”

    Following Daura’s request, Alimikhena said: “I have heard what you said. The matter is of security importance to this country. We want to see the agencies work together. We will oblige to what you have said. We want to ensure that you are comfortable enough to give something.”

  • Senate meets DSS, EFCC, NIA chiefs over feud

    Senate meets DSS, EFCC, NIA chiefs over feud

    The Senate on Thursday held a closed meeting with the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, and Director- General of Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Dauda, over recent clashes between the Federal Government agencies.

    Senate had on November 22 inaugurated an ad-hoc panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the November 21 clash between operatives of EFCC, DSS and NIA.

    The committee headed by Senator Francis Alimikhena was given two weeks to submit its report.

    The EFCC and DSS operatives reportedly clashed on November 21 over purported moves to arrest a former Director-General of the Service, Mr. Ita  Ekpeyong, at his Maitama, Abuja, residence.

    The NIA operatives also prevented EFCC operatives from arresting the sacked Director-General of the agency, Mr. Ayo Oke‎, same day in Abuja.

    Daura, Magu and Dauda were at the venue of Thursday’s meeting several hours before members of the committee arrived and sat far apart from each other.

    Magu was accompanied by EFCC officials deployed for the attempted arrest of Ekpenyong and Oke.

    Alimikhena, after his opening remarks at the hearing on altercation between EFCC and DSS, asked if any of the heads of the agencies in attendance had any observations or questions.

    The NIA and EFCC chiefs said they had none but the DSS boss asked that the hearing be conducted in camera.

  • DSS bully

    DSS bully

    Again the Department of State Services (DSS) has grabbed the headlines as one of its men gave the organisation a bad name by his condemnable conduct. The news that a DSS official attached to Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo terrorised five journalists by threatening to shoot them in the course of their work shows that the agency needs to pay more attention to the training and retraining of its officials. The journalists are Iniobong Ekponta of Nigerian Tribune, Inemesit Akpansoh of The Guardian, Emeka Samuel of Nigerian Pilot and two others.

    What happened on December 12? A report said: “A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel Comrade Iniobong Ekponta and Anthony Bassey, explained that “the Executive and other leaders of the Chapel had visited the Government House to keep a scheduled appointment with Mr. Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Udom Emmanuel, but ended being manhandled by a DSS operative manning the gate.”

    The account continued: “When we inquired to know why we should not be allowed in, the overzealous officer threatened to open fire on the reporters if we refused to heed his instruction to reverse our car out of the Government House. The DSS man became more infuriated when he discovered we were journalists, saying ‘I will shoot all of you right now if continue to stand here. Call anyone you want to call; I have worked with former governor Godswill Akpabio before in this state.’ All entreaties by some policemen guarding the gate proved abortive, as the DSS official continue to harass the reporters, accusing them of “always coming to beg for money. ‘You said you are press; is press somebody’s name? Don’t we know it is money you always come to beg here?” he fumed and shoved the journalists away.”

    This man who behaved like a bully reportedly “wore black trousers and white shirt with dark glasses to match without a name tag.”  So, who was he? His identity should not be a mystery. Indeed, he should be exposed.  Given that the bullying was done right at the gate of Akwa Ibom State Government House, the government should promptly investigate the incident, identify the official and ensure that he does not get away with that wild conduct.

  • Absence of DSS stalls hearing on Wike ’s suit against IGP, others

    Absence of DSS stalls hearing on Wike ’s suit against IGP, others

    A Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday could not hear Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike ’s application for an injunction against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and two others.

    The development was due to absence of Director of Department of State Service.

    The other respondents are: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Wike, in his application, is seeking to ask the court to restrain the respondents from searching any of his houses.

    However, the matter could not be heard due to the absence of one of the respondents, DSS in court.

    The Judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, declined to proceed with the matter following the disclosure by the registrar of the court that there was no proof that the DSS had been served with hearing notices.

    According to the judge, it is the law that all parties in a suit must be served hearing notices, adding that unless any party elects not to attend court after having been served, then the matter can go on.

    Read also: FSARS: Wike, other campaigners are crime beneficiaries, says Peterside

    “The important thing here is that, I ordered that hearing notices be served on all the parties.

    “If the registrar had said that the fourth defendant had been served and they elected to stay away, that will be their business,” he said.

    However, Mr David Igbodo, counsel to the inspector-general of police, prayed the court to proceed with the matter, arguing that it was mainly between the governor and his client.

    “I think we can proceed with the matter in the absence of the fourth defendant, “he said.

    The Counsel to other defendants in the matter, Mr O.M Atoyebi and Mr Aliyu Usman, however, conceded to an adjournment, adding that proper thing be done.

    The judge adjourned the matter until February 22, to enable the plaintiff effect service on all parties.

    He also ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on the fourth defendant and asked the registrar of the court to ensure that the defendant was served.

    The suit was filed in June by Mr Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) on behalf of Wike.

    Among other reliefs, Wike is seeking a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution, the IGP, the EFCC and the DSS could not apply for, obtain, issue or execute any court process compelling his presence.

    He also sought relief “whether the defendants can, by the combined effect of Section 308 of the Constitution and Sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice’’ among others.

    Again, whether the defendants can“apply for, obtain, issue or in any manner or form, effectively execute a search warrant at the residence of Wike in Abuja.

    The relief also include or any of his residences without his physical presence in the course of the execution of such search warrant.”

    NAN

  • DSS attack Journalists at A’Ibom Govt House

    DSS attack Journalists at A’Ibom Govt House

    •NUJ, CLO condemn attack

    An operative of the Department of State Security (DSS) attached to the Akwa Ibom State Government House Uyo yesterday attacked five correspondents of national newspapers.

    The journalists are Iniobong Ekponta of Nigerian Tribune, Inemesit Akpansoh of the Guardian, Emeka Samuel of Nigerian Pilot and two others were assaulted at the gate of the Government House by the DSS operative.

    They were at the Government House to keep a scheduled appointment with Mr. Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Udom Emmanuel, but was manhandled by a DSS operative manning the gate.

    A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Correspondents’ Chapel Comrade Iniobong Ekponta and Anthony Bassey, explained that “the Executive and other leaders of the Chapel had visited the Government House to keep a scheduled appointment with Mr. Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Udom Emmanuel, but ended being manhandled by a DSS operative manning the gate.

    “When we inquired to know why we should not be allowed in, the overzealous officer threatened to open fire on the reporters if we refused to heed his instruction to reverse our car out of the Government House.

    “The DSS man became more infuriated when he discovered we were Journalists, saying ‘I will shoot all of you right now if continue to stand here. Call anyone you want to call; I have worked with former governor Godswill Akpabio before in this State’. All entreaties by some policemen guarding the gate proved abortive, as the DSS official continue to harass the reporters, accusing them of “always coming to beg for money. ‘You said you are press; is press somebody name? Don’t we know it is money you always come to beg here?”, he fumed and shoved the journalists away.

    When contacted, the governor’s CPS, who scheduled the meeting with the Correspondents, condemned the action, saying “just wait I will speak with him, only where I am now is far from the gate”.

    It could be recalled that cases of harassment of Journalists by DSS officials have been rife especially during State Government events where media aides have taken decision to ban independent Journalists from covering activities of government.

    For instance, former The Nation Correspondent, Kazeem Ibrahim, was hospitalized for weeks following heavy brutalisation he suffered from DSS officials while trying to cover government function at the Government House Banquet Hall.

    Worried by the development, the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Mr. Clfford Thomas, condemned the action, describing it as “a threat to the freedom of information”.

    “The CPS is the major source of information from the governor and the government. So it is very wrong for DSS official to act in a manner that is not consistent with the right and privileges the constitution accord Journalists in the course of doing their work. We condemned such action in a very strong terms and the DSS leader in Nigeria should call their men to order.

    “Hounding of defenseless Journalists should be stopped forthwith, because not long ago, journalists were manhandled and their work tools destroyed by soldiers on ‘Operation Python Dance 11’ in Umuahia, Abia State”, the CLO chief said.

    He called on the DSS to examine their ranks and engage their men in training and retraining exercises from time to time in order to re-orientate the psyche of their officers on military\civilian relationship, noting that similar allegation of torture and

    high-handedness levelled against SARS, have forced the public to call for the ban of such Police structure.

  • Employment Scam: DSS warns public

    Employment Scam: DSS warns public

    The Department of State Services ( DSS ) has warned members of the public against the activities of fraudsters as regards employment into the service.

    A statement issued by an operative of the service, Mr Tony Opuiyo, on Thursday in Abuja, said it was not currently employing or carrying out any form of exercise in that regard.

    Opuiyo said some fraudulent persons and groups were extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public with the promise to employ them into the service.

    “The Service wishes to state for the umpteenth time that it is not currently employing or carrying out any form of exercise in that regard,” he said.

    He said that the service does not charge money for the purpose of recruitment.

    Opuiyo advised the public to be wary of these fraudulent persons and groups whose stock in trade remained the spread of falsehood and engagement in impersonation.

     He warned that the Service would not hesitate to deal decisively in accordance with the law with anyone caught in the act of impersonating it.

    The official enjoined members of the public to pass relevant information relating to the nearest Service Command, while efforts were being sustained at uncovering the network of these fraudsters.

    NAN