The Department of State Services (DSS) has addressed the controversy surrounding its officials' visit to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja on September 9, 2024. Contrary to widespread reports alleging a raid, the DSS clarified that the visit was part of a routine investigation.
In a statement released, the DSS emphasized that the actions of its officers were grossly misinterpreted as harassment and intimidation. "This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent," the statement read. "For the records, a team of two unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on a routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP officials."
The agency further explained that such official inquiries and liaison are traditional and do not amount to illegality or a 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 statement continued. Responding to public concern and multiple media reports, the DSS assured the public of a thorough internal investigation into the incident. "While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management," the DSS stated.
The DSS urged the public to disregard the false narratives circulating in various media outlets and reaffirmed its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.
"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 concluded.
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