The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), has called on the public to disregard misleading narrations circulating the media space as regard the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) saga. The Council made this call during a Press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, 11th September, 2024.
The Executive Director of the Council Amb. Comr. Blessing Akinlosotu, noted that the call was necessitated by the recent development that is making waves and has dominated the media space, and fast spreading across the globe concerning the alleged invasion, occupation and threats of arrest on Directors of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Akinlosotu explained that the leadership of the Council was disturbed and quckily launched an independent enquiry into the critical development, considering the already tense atmosphere over the country and adverse consequences of the viral story.
“We conducted a verification probe around the Office of SERAP as well as visited the FCT Command of the DSS to get a balanced and objective version of the story, and was shocked at the sensationalism at which the incidence has been presented or reported to the public. The story from our findings has not only been twisted, but has been shrouded with untrue and misleading narrations capable of inciting public contempt and defaming the DSS Management in the FCT. There was neither trace of invasion, intimidation or occupation, no evidence of harshness or harassment by the Officers of DSS that visited the SERAP office, and no proofs, whatsoever of threat of arrest. Instead what we have before us is a report of a civil interaction and friendly conversation around the leadership, operations and position of SERAP on burning national issues” he said.
Akinlosotu pointed out that in as much as the Council acknowledge some occasion of overzealous and non-professional conducts by some Officers of the DSS in isolated occasions in the past. It is, however, necessary to always set records straight and present matters as they are by handling issue separately and within context. A traditional routine visit and harmless interaction between some junior officers of DSS and Staff of SERAP intended for familiarization with the reported new boss, of which the NCSCN see nothing wrong in a familiarization visit.
“As conscience of the people, Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations must never reduce selves to peddlers of fake news, instruments of institutional blackmails or agents of lawlessness”
The Council is thereby demanding the leadership of SERAP to come out with substantiated evidences and convincing proof of all the allegations leveled against the DSS if they insist on their claims. On its part, the DSS should always have video and audio recordings of such sensitive engagements, as its the Global Best Practices among security apparatus.
Lastly, The Council used the opportunity to congratulate the new leadership of DSS under Mr. Tosin Ajayi as the Director General, Mr Tosin is a gentleman, a professional and a security expert with necessary and adequate experience, and calls for calm in the country over the saga while calling on both SERAP and the DSS to further clear the air on this controversy, and equip the public with details of what truly transpired between them.
