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Nigeria sliding into dictatorship – PDP governors

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday morning claimed that Nigeria is gradually sliding into dictatorship under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Rising from a meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PGF), held in the inner chamber of the Bayelsa State Governor’s office, Government House, Yenagoa, the governors decried the activities of the Department of State Security (DSS).

After the meeting that lasted for over two hours, the governors led by their chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko, condemned the alleged invasion of Akwa Ibom State Government House by the DSS.

Reading the communiqué to journalists, Mimiko, said the action of the DSS was against the spirit, ethos, values and fundamental tenets of democratic norms and tradition especially with the existence of a duly elected and inaugurated governor of the state.

He said: “We insist that the trend must stop henceforth. No democracy survives without a viable opposition in any part of the world and we must also remember to remind the APC members that they are the real beneficiaries of the liberal democratic ethos of the PDP.

“We once more advise the DSS to preoccupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and desist from daily harassing and intimidating members of the opposition.

“We implore the international community, the civil society organisations and human rights activists to call the APC- led Federal Government to order and to insist that it respects the well entrenched democratic tradition.

“We all have a duty to prevent what looks to us like a steady slide of this country into dictatorship.”

Mimiko said the PDP governors were disturbed, alarmed and shocked by what he described as desecration, adding that the action of the DSS was an assault on democracy.

He said the Akwa Ibom incident spelt doom and posed serious danger to the country’s fledgling democracy.

He said the development was one of the continuous attempts by the APC-controlled government to stifle the opposition.

Two governors and four deputy governors out of the 13 PDP-controlled states attended the meeting.

The governors present at the meeting were Mimiko and the host, Seriake Dickson.

September 8, 2015
PDP, lawmakers: DSS invasion of Akwa Ibom Govt House is terrorism

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have described Friday’s invasion of part of the Akwa Ibom Government House by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) as an act of terrorism.

The PDP said it would no longer stomach the continued unlawful use of the state apparatus of power by the All Progressives Congress (APC) -led Federal Government to harass its elected officials at any level across the country.

A statement yesterday by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the DSS crossed the red line by invading and occupying the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, in violation of the constitutional immunity of the Government House.

The PDP cautioned that the invasion and other flagrant abuse of power by the APC-led Federal Government were clear recipes for constitutional crisis, civil unrest and avoidable anarchy. It called on Nigerians and the international community to take copious note of the development.

The party said its investigations showed that the DSS acted on orders from the Presidency, “which has been in a desperate bid to destabilise and forcefully take over Akwa Ibom and other PDP states”.

The 26 members of the House of Assembly said the invasion was not only in breach of the constitution but an affront on the rights of the governor, who is the chief security officer of the state.

The 26 lawmakers, at a news conference yesterday in Abuja, gave the DSS seven days ultimatum to apologise or risk being slammed with a legal action.

The Speaker, Aniekan Uko, who read the statement, was supported by the 25 members of the House of Assembly and some federal lawmakers.

Uko said: “Since the Constitution has clearly freed the governor from being brought under court warrant in the discharge of his legitimate duties, it is on record that before embarking on that ill-advised operation, the SSS never communicated with the governor of Akwa Ibom State, who is also the chief security officer of the state, on why it was necessary to search his official residence in Uyo.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 308 (1, 2, 3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides as follows:

“(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section:

“a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office;

“b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise;

“and c) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued: Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section applies, no account shall be taken of his period of office.

“(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.

“(3) This section applies to a person holding the Office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office” is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office.

“It is important to point out that immunity from prosecution and persecution is a well-founded, well-reasoned concept, which has sundry benefits when applied honestly and carefully for the greater good of society. It thus means that a governor or President, during the subsistence of term of office, must have a free hand to act boldly and courageously for public good.

“In doing so, such a governor or President would not be hindered by fear for self, for repercussion of actions embarked upon, for the public interest of a state or for clearly defined national interests.

“Unfortunately, while the President, the Vice President as well as the governors and deputy governors across the country are protected under Constitutional Immunity, the governor of Akwa Ibom State has been singled out and stripped of this right which provided for him under the law”.

September 7, 2015
DSS invasion of Akwa Ibom govt’s house unacceptable – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has condemned the alleged invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, by the special squad of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Fayose at a news conference on Friday regretted the way and manner the presidential wing of the Akwa Ibom Government House was ransacked in a “commando-like manner” with the occupants harassed and intimidated.

He described the claim that the security operatives were looking for bombs as unacceptable, saying the DSS men ought to look for bomb in the Northeast region ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.

The Ekiti governor said the invasion was “regrettable, unfortunate, condemnable and unacceptable” because the DSS boss’ action has come to symbolize dictatorship which “democracy abhors.”

“By invading the Government House, the DSS operatives behaved in an authoritarian and despotic manner in a democratic era,” he stated.

Fayose urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the DSS Director General, Lawal Daura, to order saying he is dragging Nigeria back to era of military dictatorship.

He said: “Obviously, the Thursday invasion of the Akwa Ibom Government House by men of the DSS and the arrest of the state INEC REC are part of the sinister plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to circumvent the will of the people of the South South and Southeast states controlled by the PDP, using the DSS, but it will fail ultimately.

“To say the least, invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House on Thursday as ordered by Daura, was a rape of democracy and invitation to chaos and anarchy. It is authoritarian, dictatorial and I condemn it strongly.

“If a Government House occupied by a Governor who enjoys the same immunity enjoyed by the President as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could be invaded by a Special Squad of the DSS, it means Lawal Daura is moving this country towards dictatorship and it must be said that Daura and his DSS men will definitely have Nigerians to contend with.

“As for me, I will continue to talk because Nigeria is not a banana republic that can be ruled anyhow by anyone and Mr. Daura and those urging him on should know that this reign of brute force over co situational democracy will fail.

“Most importantly, Lawal Daura and his desperate men should know that here in Nigeria of today, the power of the people is greater than the power of those in power and the people will always rise in defence of their government no matter how strong the aggression.”

September 4, 2015
DSS retires Marilyn Ogar, 14 others

The Department of State Services (DSS) has sent its former spokesperson, Ms. Marilyn Ogar and 14 other senior officials, including two directors on compulsory retirement.

A signal from the leadership of the DSS, issued Wednesday night, confirmed the development, but did not reveal the identities of other officers affected by the exercise.

Ogar was promoted Deputy Director alongside 44 others in promotions that were done in the twilight of the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

But the new administration had reversed the promotions, citing irregularities and breach of extant rules guiding such actions.

Ogar reportedly earned her promotion following commendation she received from former President Jonathan for doing “a fantastic job” as spokesperson of the DSS.

The erstwhile spokesperson was said to have been transferred outside the Abuja headquarters of the Service shortly after the change in government at the centre.

The DSS does not appear to have a substantive spokesperson at present.

Mr. Tony Opuiyo, who signs press statements on behalf of the Service, is not designated as spokesperson.

September 3, 2015
DSS cautions Jigawa youths on social media comments

The Jigawa State office of the Department of State Security has expressed concern over the disruptive tendencies and threat to peace by political groups on the social media.

This was disclosed by the state DSS director, Mr Yusuf Isiyaku in a speech at a one-day sensitisation seminar organised for social media groups across the state.

The seminar held at Three Stars Hotel, Dutse.

Isiyaku urged parents and guardians to monitor how their children use the social media with a view to guarding against moral decadence.

The DSS director explained that an independent investigation by the Channels Television indicated that the Jigawa State has more followers in the government activities in the federation, “but in our own analysis the followership is not progressive but destructive”.

According to him, report from an independent body revealed that youths in Jigawa State have higher participation in political discussion on social media more than any other state in the country.

The Director added that, according to his department’s assessment, the participation was more destructive than constructive, putting the state in bad light.

“In view of this, we deem it necessary to come up with programmes to re-orient our youth on how to best use social media for their betterment and that of the state and country at large.

“We invited traditional and religious leaders, legal practitioners, security agencies to enlight the representatives of youth group across all 27 local government of the state on proper usage of social media in tandem with religious norms and culture of the society”.

Speaking at the occasion, Emir of Dutse Dr Nuhu Sunusi urged the youths to abide by the usage of decent words and respect to their leaders in any of their discussion or posting on the social media and other platforms.

September 1, 2015
DSS nabs Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, others

Operatives vow to frustrate sect’s activities

Detectives have arrested 19 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Lagos, Enugu, Plateau, Kano and Gombe states.

The suspects were some of the commanders and frontline members of the sect who had played active roles in its bloody campaign, particularly in the Northeastern.

The suspects, who were arrested between July 8 and August 24, included those that coordinated and executed suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos.

The Department of State Service (DSS) broke the news yesterday in a statement signed by its spokesman Tony Opiuyo.

One of the suspects, Usman Shuaibu (a.k.a Money), revealed that he coordinated the attacks with N500,000 which was provided by his Amir, Isa Ali, the DSS said.

“Shuaibu claimed that the said Isa Ali has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collects monies to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz.

“Also, he revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.

“Shuabu also admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks,” the statement added.

Another suspect, Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a Abubakar) who the Service described as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert, confessed to having prepared the IEDs used for most of the suicide attacks in the Northeast.

He was also quoted by the DSS to have confessed that he prepared the IED strapped to the vests worn by a suicide bomber and his wives which they used in the recent Jos attacks.

Also in the net is Adamu Abdullahi (aka Babpa) who was said to have confessed that Usman Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Ahmed Mohammed (aka Abubakar) in the preparation of the IEDs used in the said attacks.

Another of the suspects, Ibrahim Isa, reportedly confessed that he carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.

Muttaqa Yusuf (aka Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka) was said to have named Aliyu, who is believed to be the notorious Aliyu Gombe of Sambisa forest, as the one who ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out at various locations in the Northeastern part of the country.

He was said to have confessed that he assisted Shuabu in planning and executing the said attacks.

Other suspects arrested in various parts of Lagos include: Bakura Modu, Mustapha Alli Jamneri, Abuyi Sherriff, Babangida Ali, Babangida Koloye, Abba Modu Sagma and Grema Abubakar, Tijani Bagudu, Baba Alhaji and Abbas Ibrahim, Adam Wakil Abdul Jilbe and Mohammed Usman.

Ibrahim Audu was arrested in Enugu; Ibrahim Haruna was arrested in Gombe, Mal Ali Mohamodu was arrested in Kano.

The DSS said the terrorists have decided to spread to other parts of the country as a result of the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the Northeast.

“Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman Shuaibu (Money) and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect.

“Money and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another heart-rending bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest.

“Furthermore, the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the state and, in fact, other parts of the country.

“The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has, however, helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However, the Service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence prosecution of the suspects.”

“Drawing from the above, the DSS reiterates its avowed determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against terror and other forms of criminality in our country.

“Citizens and residents are, therefore, called upon to rise to the occasion by volunteering useful information to the Service and other relevant security agencies,” the DSS stated.

August 31, 2015
Ex-CSO, Dasuki set to be arraigned

Baring any unforeseen hindrances, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki will be arraigned Tuesday before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

It was learnt Sunday evening that Dasuki will be arraigned on offences relating to illegal gun possession before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who currently sits as the court’s vacation judge.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had recently announced that it had filed a charge against Dasuki following the search it conducted in the ex-NSA’s home in Abuja and his home state.

The DSS had, in a statement by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo stated that after searching Dasuki’s houses on July 16, 2015, its men discovered large cache of arms and ammunition and has subsequently charged him to court.

It added that the search was necessitated by credible intelligence which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security.

“The search operation led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.

“Consequently, on Monday 24th August, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far obtained, but which relates to possession of fire arms without license,” Opuiyo stated.

He noted that the crime is punishable under section 27(i) (a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

August 30, 2015
DSS nabs Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, Enugu, Plateau, others

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of no fewer than 19 suspected Boko Haram terrorists during operations in Lagos, Enugu, Plateau, Kano and Gombe States.

A statement on Sunday by the Acting spokesman of the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, said the suspects were some of the commanders and frontline members of the sect who had played active roles in some of the sect’s bloody campaign, particularly in the Northeastern part of the country.

Opuiyo said the suspects, who were arrested between July 8 and August 24 included those that coordinated and executed suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos.

The DSS said one of the suspects, Usman Shuaibu (a.k.a Money), revealed that he coordinated the attacks with the sum of N500,000 which was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali.

“Shuaibu claimed that the said Isa Ali has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collects monies to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz. “Also, he revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.”

“Shuabu also admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks,” the statement added.

Another suspect, Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a Abubakar), who the Service described as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert, was said to have confessed to having prepared the IEDs used for most of the suicide attacks in the Northeast.

August 30, 2015
DSS arrests underage Boko Haram spy at Abuja Airport

The Department of State Services (DSS) has beefed up security at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after intercepting an espionage attempt by Boko Haram there.

It said yesterday that it was able to “disrupt” the activities of the spying network.

It said a 14-year old boy Sulaiymon Abdulraman (a.k.a Sunday Ajayi) from Kogi State was used as an agent to monitor travellers’ movement including passenger screening, boarding procedures and other processes in the departure and arrival halls.

The DSS was originally on the trail of one Dauda Sadiq (a.k.a Peter) when its men stumbled on Abdulraman.

The duo are accomplices, according to spokesman for the DSS, Tony Opuiyo.

He said, “On the 24th August, 2015, the Service in liaison with Aviation Security of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, disrupted a spying network mounted by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“In the process, a 14-year old Sulaiymon Abdulraman (a.k.a Sunday Ajayi), of Kogi State was apprehended. Abdulraman has disclosed among others that he infiltrated the airport with the assistance of one Dauda Sadiq (a.k.a Peter) who is presently at large.

“Abdulraman further revealed that Dauda Sadiq directed him to spy on the installation and pass to him information in respect of travellers’ movement including passenger screening, boarding procedures and other processes in the departure and arrival halls.

“With this knowledge, the Service is working closely with major Aviation stakeholders especially the Aviation Security Department to forestall any possible attack and to ensure adequate security at the airports. This is aside other measures which have been put in place to ensure protection of lives and property across the country.”

The Service advised the public to remain vigilant, be security conscious at all times and to report all issues and persons of suspicion to the nearest security agency.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the airport.

A reliable source said: “In the last few days, we have witnessed heavy security surveillance with a thorough screening process.

“Even the ticket counters have not been spared of surveillance and screening by security agents. In fact, since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, the security arrangement at the airport has changed. All loafers are being checked and the security at the boarding end is tighter.”

August 30, 2015
DSS uncovers Boko Haram spy ring at Abuja airport

The Department of State Services said it has uncovered a spy cell run by the Boko Haram sect at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The spy cell, according to the DSS, is apparently aimed at selecting targets for attack.

In a statement late on Friday, the agency said it discovered the ring on Monday and was working with aviation authorities to pre-empt any attack.

The DSS said it had arrested a 14-year-old boy who said he had been instructed to spy on the airport’s security procedures, including passenger screening and boarding processes, and report what he had learnt.

It said the man who directed the boy had not been located.

“The service, in liaison with the aviation security of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, disrupted a spying network mounted by the Boko Haram terrorists,” Reuters quoted DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, as saying in the statement.

“The service is working closely with major aviation stakeholders, especially the Aviation Security Department, to forestall any possible attack and to ensure adequate security at the airports.”

August 29, 2015