The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed allegations of an unlawful raid on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), clarifying that its operatives were merely conducting routine investigations.
This explanation comes after reports emerged of DSS personnel allegedly occupying the SERAP offices in both Lagos and Abuja on Monday, which the agency labelled as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement, the DSS explained that the visit to SERAP’s office in Abuja involved only two unarmed operatives, who were lawfully assigned to conduct an inquiry.
The service insisted that the action had been misinterpreted as harassment, stressing that such visits are standard procedure in national security management.
The DSS said, “For the records, a team of two (2) unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.”
The secret police further assured the public of their professionalism in handling the matter, urging citizens to disregard the claims of intimidation and harassment.
It added that such visits are traditional in security management and do not constitute any form of illegality or raid.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and do not in any way amount to illegality or raid,” the DSS clarified in its response.
This comes amidst continued silence from the DSS regarding the arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero had been detained by the DSS early Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and released later that night following pressure from NLC and other civil society organizations.
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The NLC had issued an ultimatum demanding his release, while directing its affiliates and state chapters to be on alert for potential industrial action if the DSS failed to comply.
Despite Ajaero’s release, the DSS has yet to provide a full explanation for his detention, maintaining silence on the specific reasons behind his arrest. However, the service continues to stress its commitment to transparency and professionalism, both in the matter of Ajaero’s detention and the investigation of SERAP.
“The DSS has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices… this narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent,” the agency said, reiterating its stance.
As of now, the situation continues to draw attention from civil rights groups and labor organizations, who remain vigilant in monitoring further developments.
