The Department of State Services, DSS has dismissed as “inaccurate and misleading” the reports claiming that it’s operatives invaded the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP in Abuja and Lagos.
The DSS made this known in a statement on its website on Monday night explaining that the two unarmed Service operatives who visited the Abuja office of SERAP were lawfully detailed on routine investigation.
SERAP, an advocacy organization,raised the alarm via its official X handle on Monday, saying that DSS operatives had taken over its Abuja office. The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the DSS to cease the harassment, intimidation, and attacks on Nigerians’ rights.
Reacting to the development, which was widely condemned by many organizations and human rights activists, the DSS said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. 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 Service further wishes to state that such official inquiries and liaison are traditional and does not in any way amount to illegality or raid. While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.”
The DSS, therefore, urged the public to disregard these false narratives, restating its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate. SERAP had in a statement earlier on Monday, urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct Nigeria’s Department of State Services “to end the intimidation and harassment and attack against our organization and the threat of arrest against our directors.”
“A tall, large, dark-skinned woman entered our office, accompanied by a slim, dark-skinned man. Other officers were sighted in two unmarked vehicles stationed outside our office. The officers who interrogated our office requested to see our directors,”
In a statement by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS). The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”
SERAP’s statement further said: “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians. President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.
“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognized under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. Nigerian authorities must end the harassment and intimidation attacks against SERAP and ensure the safety and security of our staff.
“If the Tinubu government does not take all necessary measures to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP or any other civil society group for that matter, SERAP will to take appropriate legal action nationally and internationally to challenge the brutal crackdown and hold the authorities to account for their constitutional and international human rights obligations.
“SERAP will continue to work to challenge any attempt to restrict, silence or eliminate the voices of credible civil society in the country. We urge the presidency to speak out strongly against intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff.
“Under the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and international human rights law, everyone whose rights are violated is entitled to a right to an effective remedy. Exposing human rights violations and seeking redress for them is largely dependent on the degree of security enjoyed by civil society groups and human rights defenders.
“While some may not like to hear some of the things SERAP has said, this in no way justifies the invasion of our office and harassment and intimidation of our staff members. The authorities should show commitment to protecting the right to freedom of expression and guarantee conditions for civil society to flourish.”
