DSS Offers Explanation for Operation at SERAP Abuja Office, Says SERAP's Narrative is Misleading

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has provided an explanation for the visit of its operatives reported invasion and occupation of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday.

The explanation is coming following a statement released by SERAP on Monday over the occupation of its Abuja office by the state police, the Department of State Security has challenged SERAP’s narrative, clarifying that unarmed members of the service were conducting a routine investigation in the discharge of official duties and national interests. 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News reports that earliervin the week, a statement released on the X account of SERAP on Monday had raised an alarm that the DSS officers who invaded the Abuja office were demanding to meet with the organization's directors. 

SERAP condemned the action, labeling it an illegal occupation of their premises.

However, in its swift reaction to the allegation, the DSS stated that, “The DSS has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos."

"Contrary to claims of a forceful raid", OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the DSS has clarified that two unarmed operatives were lawfully carrying out a routine investigation. 

The State Police body said, “This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials."

In its own position on the invasion, SERAP had highlighted that the timing of the incident is significant, given that it occurred just a day after the organization openly urged President Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the controversial hike in petrol prices at its outlets. 

The organization had also earlier urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene swiftly and put an end to what it described as harassment and intimidation by the DSS. 

On the contrary however, the DSS has criticized the portrayal of the visit as an act of intimidation, stating that the investigation was standard procedure and not intended to harass SERAP officials. 

The DSS reiterated its commitment to professionalism and called on the public to disregard any misleading narratives. 

The State Police therefore sued for public cooperation in maintaining national security.

"The DSS, therefore, urges the public to disregard these false narratives as it restates its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.", the statement by the DSS concludes.

On its own part, SERAP emphasized the need to protect the rights of Nigerians, which it believes are being violated by the ongoing actions of the security agency.