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Tag: Dr Peter Afunanya

  • Terror alert: DSS enjoins Nigerians to take necessary precautions

    Terror alert: DSS enjoins Nigerians to take necessary precautions

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on Nigerians to take necessary precautions and be security conscious in view of the security advisory released by the US Embassy on possible terror attack on Abuja.

    Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the DSS had issued similar advisory in the past and urged residents to remain alert and calm.

    “While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them,” he added.

    Afunanya said the service was working with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.

    The US Embassy security advisory alert issued on Sunday said targets for the attack may include government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets and shopping malls.

    It said others are hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities and international organisations.

  • Unguarded statements: DSS warns politicians, highly placed individuals

    Unguarded statements: DSS warns politicians, highly placed individuals

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned politicians and highly placed personalities against unguarded statements that could derail efforts to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
    Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja.
    He said the warning followed a misleading and mischievous publication in some sections titled, “Nigeria’s Secret Police, DSS Tests the Water on Tenure Elongation for Buhari, Tells Journalists, CSOs 2023 Elections May Not Hold”.
    Afunanya explained in the said report that the Service was accused of informing participants at its April 6, brainstorming session with CSOs/NGOs that the 2023 general elections might not hold due to insecurity.
    He said the report further stated that the session was a ruse to sell tenure elongation to the public.
    “The DSS disassociates itself from the publication and categorically states that the information is false and obviously fabricated to malign it and mislead the populace.
    “It is curious that the session which was lauded and described as innovative by participants including credible Civil Society groups would be misrepresented,” he said.
    Afunanya said the statement by the Presidency, reiterating its stance to hand over power to a new president on May 29, 2023, had vindicated the Service.
    He said the statement had countered the deliberate effort by the report to create confusion.
    “While the Service, in the circumstance, aligns with the Presidency, it urges the public to disregard the report,” he added.
  • Security alert: DSS raises alarm over plot by terrorists to bomb worship centres, joints, others

    Security alert: DSS raises alarm over plot by terrorists to bomb worship centres, joints, others

    Suspected dangerous elements are plotting to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country, the Department of State Services (DSS) has said.

    The Public Relations Officer of the security agency, Dr Peter Afunanya, raised the alarm in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He stated that while the DSS has received reports on cases of such incidents in some areas, it has uncovered a plot by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance.

    Their objective, Afunanya explained, was to launch further attacks on critical infrastructure and other public places frequently visited, such as worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.

     

    He added that the groups intend to achieve some self-serving interests and cause fear among the people, and warned managers and owners of such centres to be cautious and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.

    The DSS said it would continue to disrupt the trend and pattern of violent attacks and asked the people to go about their lawful businesses

    Read the full statement below:

    PUBLIC ALERT ON RENEWED BOMB EXPLOSIONS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby draws public attention to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.

    Though there are already reported cases of such incidents in some areas, the Service has uncovered a ploy by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.

    The objective is to achieve some self-serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The Service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country.

    Following these, patrons, owners, and managers of the aforementioned public places are advised to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.

    While the Service is committed to the disruption of this trend and pattern of violent attacks, it will continue to partner with other security agencies to ensure that necessary drills are emplaced in order that public peace and order are not jeopardised.

    To this end, residents are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and share, with security and law enforcement agencies, useful information on the activities of criminals.

    Meanwhile, the DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, fwc, wishes all and sundry a hitch-free Workers’ Day and Sallah celebrations.

    Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi

    Public Relations Officer

    Department of State Services