By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Department of State Services (DSS) said it's attention has been drawn to what the security outfit described as a false publication by an online newspaper, Peoples Gazette, in which it quoted Amnesty International (AI) as stating that SSS abduct innocent Nigerians under Buhari regime.
The State Security Service, in a swift reaction on Wednesday, debunked the report, saying whether the story was reported by Peoples Gazette Online News or Amnesty International, the fact, it says, remains that the narrative is misleading and the DSS does not abduct Nigerians.
Spokesman of the State Security Organization, Dr Peter Afunnanya, explained in a statement on Wednesday, August 31th, 2022, that "as part of its enforcement activities, the DSS arrests when, where and if necessary".
He said this "is evidently carried out in line with the tenets of democratic ideals. At no time has the agency embarked on its actions without following laid down procedures in respect of obtaining warrants of arrest or orders for detention from competent legal authorities. The claim of abduction or use of enforced disappearances is an absolute lie and a make-up narrative designed to bring the Service to disrepute".
Correcting the wrong impression, however, Dr Afunnanya stated that "the DSS is law abiding and committed to the protection of citizens and sensitive government installations. In doing this, it will continue to discharge its mandate of intelligence collection and timely dissemination of same to relevant action agencies and stakeholders.
"Public attention should, however, be drawn to the deliberate and determined efforts of the publisher of Peoples Gazette, Samuel Ogundipe, to use his platform to undermine law and order. He is known to have, on several occasions, engaged in false and distorted publications to disinform the public.
"He and his cohorts are hereby warned, for the umpteenth time, to desist from these deplorable acts against the peace and security of the nation. It is time for Ogundipe and the likes to choose reason over fatuity; and patriotism over disloyalty and treachery. Their continuous mischievous resolve to use fake news and hate speech to set the country on fire is condemnable".
The DSS reputation manager however exhorts the practitioners in the Nigerian media industry to "rise above parochial considerations, sanitize its fold and fish out quacks among them. The media can also peer review and embark on self-censorship as part of achieving professionalism in the industry. They must reject the allure of enticement by external forces to use them to instigate violence or undermine government and its institutions".
Afunnanya warned that " those who run foul of the law must be ready to face justice either now or in the future". NNL.
