I’ll look into allegations of human rights abuse, says acting DSS DG

Mathew Seiyifa, acting director-general of the Department of State Service (DSS), has promised to look into the complaints of human rights abuse filed against the service.

Among the allegations levelled against the secret police in the last three years are disregard for the rule of law and arbitrary arrest.

Speaking at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Seiyifa said under him, the service would take a different approach.

He also promised to collaborate with other security agencies in security management and to promote national interest.

“We are reviewing all issues that have brought about unhealthy perceptions about the service in recent times including detentions and perceived human rights abuses,“he said.

“We will respect the rights of groups or individuals as long as they are legitimate. We will work on the basis of our core roles and mandate which are the detection and prevention of threats against the internal security of Nigeria.

“We will not tolerate the abuse of freedom of Nigerians and we will not be intimidated nor cowed as we will protect our mandate.”

Seiyefa said the service would do its best to diffuse the perception about it, adding that it was critical to the security architecture of the country.

He said it would also redouble its efforts to improve on intelligence gathering and analysis to guide policy formulation and security management.

On the continued detention of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, Seiyefa said it was early to make any definite decision as he was still studying cases before him.

He said the service would collaborate with the media to project its activities, adding that the appointment of a spokesman for the service was under active consideration.

“The issue of having a spokesperson to respond to media inquiries is under active consideration,“he said.

Seiyifa was appointed following the sack of Lawal Daura who took over from Ita Ekpeyong.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the dismissal of Daura after DSS operatives invaded the national assembly and prevented some lawmakers from going into the chamber.