ICPC, Other Agencies Impersonating Us, DSS Says

The Department of State Service (DSS) has said some agencies, some of who are security agencies “have continually engaged” in carrying out “illegal security operations” in its name.

In a statement on Thursday, the agency’s spokesman, Tony Opuiyo said the operations are carried out by “impostors”, who “try to mimic the service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia”.

Advertisement

This is coming barely one month after personnels of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, carried out a raid on the Kaduna residence of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

Prior to ICPC’s acknowledgment that it carried out the raid, reports had alleged the DSS as being responsible for the operation.

The ICPC had admitted that it was misled by a whistleblower, one Abubakar Sani Chindo, to carry out the operation.

Meanwhile, Opiuyo cited an instance where another agency allegedly carried out a raid on No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, a property belonging to Sahara Energy Company.

Advertisement

According to him, the aim was to accord semblance of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS was, in fact, involved.

The DSS further warned security personnel to stop impersonating the agency, while enjoining the public to always avail the service with useful information about suspected illegal operations in any part of the country.

The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted, with dismay and total condemnation, the activities of impostors including some security agencies who have continually engaged in illegal security operations, allegedly in the name of the service, in parts of the country.

“These impersonators, in some instances, try to mimic the service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia especially operational dress codes.

“The aim, according to information available to the service, is to accord semblance of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS was, in fact, involved.

Advertisement

“An instance was the recent search which the DSS was falsely accused to have carried out at the Kaduna residence of the former vice president, His Excellency, Namadi Sambo. Another was the one executed at No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, belonging to Sahara Energy Company.

“The public is hereby alerted to be wary of these ugly trends and also informed that not all operatives in black uniforms are personnel of the DSS.

“The service is indeed not sparing any efforts to ensure that this is brought to a complete stop. In line with its standard operational procedures, the service will, in the spirit of public accountability, always inform stakeholders of its activities on the basis of need-to-know principle. Persons and groups, with useful information about suspected illegal operations in any part of the country, are encouraged to avail same to the service for prompt action,” the statement added.

Leave a comment

Advertisement