TheNewsGuru

Tag: dss

  • BREAKING: IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu rearraigned, remanded in DSS custody

    BREAKING: IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu rearraigned, remanded in DSS custody

    The Federal Government on Tuesday presented the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu before Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Lawyer to the FG, S. M. Labaran, said Kanu was arrested through intelligence and collaborative efforts of security agencies.

    Labaran was silent on where and how Kanu was arrested.

    Following Labaran’s ex-parte application, Justice Binta Nyako ordered that Kanu, who was brought to court in handcuffs and hooded before the court’s sitting, be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Justice Nyako granted an accelerated hearing by bringing the charge pending against him from the earlier adjourned date of October 20 to July 26 and 27.

    At the conclusion of proceedings, the DSS operatives who brought him to court, sneaked him away, using the judge’s access stairs.

    Earlier at a press briefing, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on Sunday June 27, 2021.

    At the joint briefing with heads of DSS and police, Malami said Kanu would be returned to court to continue with his trial.

  • I wasn’t interrogated, arrested by DSS – Gumi

    I wasn’t interrogated, arrested by DSS – Gumi

    Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has denied media report that he was invited by the State Security Service (SSS) on Friday.

    The Kaduna-based cleric said he was neither arrested nor invited for interrogation by the secret security agency.

    “I am having non stop calls from all over the globe asking whether I was interrogated or detained by the DSS. Let it be clear. Nothing of that happened,” the cleric posted on his Facebook page.

    Mr Gumi, a retired military officer and critic of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been advocating an amnesty for armed bandits terrorising the northwest and north-central states of Nigeria.

    He appeared on Arise News TV this week and accused security operatives of arming and colluding with the bandits. This elicited calls by Nigerians on social media for his arrest.

    “I have a good working relationship with all the security outfits, and I didn’t meet any bandit in the forests we visited without the presence of the security men, state officials, representatives of traditional rulers, and Fulani Ardos,” Mr Gumi said..

    “We will continue to discuss and have interactions directly or through representatives with all these institutions.

    “So people should be rest assured that there is no conflict of any sort and we will continue to cooperate to see that peace has prevailed in this dear nation. May Allah continue to protect us all. Amin,” Mr Gumi said in the post.

  • DSS confirms inviting Sheikh Gumi

    DSS confirms inviting Sheikh Gumi

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday confirmed that it had invited Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

    DSS spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a WhatsApp platform said tersely, “Gumi was invited by the Service.”

    He did not say why the cleric was invited.

    “It’s not out of place for the Service to invite any person of interest,” he added.

  • Banditry: DSS invites Sheikh Gumi over comments implicating security operatives

    Banditry: DSS invites Sheikh Gumi over comments implicating security operatives

    The Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Thursday invited Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for questioning, VOA reports.

    According to the VOA report, Gumi was invited by the DSS after he alleged that security officials work with bandits to carry out criminal activities.

    Gumi made the allegation when he appeared in ARISE TV on Wednesday.

    The Nigerian Army however rejected the claims of the Kaduna-based cleric, saying that security agents have sacrificed their lives in the battle against insurgency.

    “It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri from kidnappers,” the army explained in a statement.

    The statement added, “While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel.

    In the wake of kidnappings, murder and other terrorism acts of bandits operating predominantly in the northern region of the country, Mr Gumi has become popular for advocating peace deals with terrorist herders

    He has at different times chaired negotiations between the herders and their victims. And recently, he likened the herders to the Niger Delta militants, saying that the herders should be granted amnesty as the militants enjoyed.

  • Daddy is back – Adoration Ministry confirms return of Fr Ejike Mbaka

    Daddy is back – Adoration Ministry confirms return of Fr Ejike Mbaka

    The Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), headquartered in Enugu State has confirmed the return of its founder and spiritual leader, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) the whereabouts of Father Mbaka caused a stir in the State on Wednesday as the Catholic cleric failed to show up at the Ministry’s usual Wednesdays programme.

    The priest arrived at the Catholic Bishop’s Residence in a motorcade amidst jubilation from his Adoration faithful around 2.45pm.

    He, however, stopped in front of the Bishop’s Court and addressed his supporters urging them to remain calm and return to the Adoration ground for further information.

    “Daddy is back. Glory be to God in the highest,” Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) shared on its official Facebook page.

    While reactions have continued to trail the disappearance of the fiery Enugu priest, nothing concrete has come out in the air of what actually happened.

    Both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have denied involvement in the disappearing act.

    Read reactions that followed the disappearance of Father Mbaka below:

    https://twitter.com/TundeEddnut/status/1389962210101927945?s=19

     

  • BREAKING: DSS speaks on ‘arrest’ of Father Mbaka

    BREAKING: DSS speaks on ‘arrest’ of Father Mbaka

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied it arrested the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu, Father Ejike Mbaka.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that protests broke out in Enugu on Wednesday afternoon over the alleged ‘disappearance’ of Mbaka, who was said to have been last seen on Tuesday evening.

    The development created tension in the coal-city with youths giving the Federal Government a 48-hour ultimatum to produce Mbaka.

    Many of them alleged the fiery preacher, who recently in a viral video called for the resignation or impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over worsening insecurity, was either picked up by security operatives or gunmen.

    But DSS spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya in a swift reaction said the cleric was not in its custody.

    He said “This is not true. Fr Mbaka was not picked up by the DSS. Rev Fr Mbaka is not with the DSS. The DSS did not pick him up, please.”

    TNG reports that moments ago, the state erupted in jubilation as the vocal priests was said to have been ‘released’.

  • Religious leaders, politicians making inciting statements in public deny when invited – DSS

    Religious leaders, politicians making inciting statements in public deny when invited – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) says it will begin a clampdown on agents of anarchy in various parts of the country.

    In a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, the service faulted those said to be creating instability through comments that threaten the sovereignty and corporate existence of the nation.

    It also condemned what it called the unnecessary vituperations and activities of some religious and past political leaders who have either called for a forceful change of government or mass action against it.

    The DSS described as unfortunate, a situation where those who should be patriotic were allowing their personal ambitions to ruin the nation.

    It reminded every Nigerian that although democracy offers free speech, it does not give room to reckless pronouncements.

    The agency, however, said it was working with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of peace and internal security in the country.

    Read the full statement by the DSS below:

    PRESS RELEASE

    DSS SUPPORTS INDIVISIBLE UNITED NIGERIA; WARNS AGAINST UNSAVOURY AND INCITING UTTERANCES

    The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby condemns the unsavoury statements by misguided elements who have continued to threaten the government, sovereignty, and corporate existence of this country.

    Notable are the unnecessary vituperations and activities of some religious and past political leaders who have either called for a forceful change of government or mass action against it. It has been established that the main objective for these is to cause a disintegration of the country.

    It is unfortunate that those at the forefront of this are respectable individuals who should be patriotic and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the nation.

    The Service has also noted their desperation and penchant to collaborate with external forces and influences against Nigeria.

    They are reminded that even though democracy offers free speech, it does not give room to reckless pronouncements capable of undermining security. It is instructive to note that the ballot box remains the vehicle of change in a democracy.

    In this regard, self-centred individuals and groups are warned to stop engaging in acts inimical to the peace and sovereignty of this nation.

    In the same manner, influential personalities should be sensitive to emerging situations and guard against divisive and inciting utterances that may cause a breakdown of law and order.

    Recently, the Service invited and cautioned some persons who deniably recounted their earlier statements or said they were quoted out of context.

    The public should be wary of such individuals and their co-travellers who, incite them in the open but, turn in the secret to retrieve their words after they had caused the damage.

    While the Service reaffirms its unambiguous support to an indivisible, indissoluble, and united Nigerian State in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, it will no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups whose agenda is to throw the country into anarchy so as to serve the interests of their sponsors.

    Consequently, the Service is assiduously working with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of peace and internal security of the country.

    Peter Afunanya, Ph.D

    Public Relations Officer

    Department of State Services,

    National Headquarters,

    Abuja

    2nd May 2021

  • Alleged terrorism: Invite Akpabio for questioning now, PDP tells DSS

    Alleged terrorism: Invite Akpabio for questioning now, PDP tells DSS

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to invite the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for questioning.

    PDP in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan urged the secret service to compel Akpabio to “name politicians in the All Progressives Congress that are behind the acts of terrorism and banditry ravaging our nation.”

    “There is self-professed evidence that Senator Akpabio is privy to certain terrorism-related information which he must be made to share with the DSS as well as other security agencies,” the statement partly read.

    The opposition party said its call is based on comments reportedly made by the Minister at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday that the acts of terrorism in our country were “politically motivated” and that they are handiwork of infiltrators from neigbouring countries.

    “It is instructive to state that Senator Akpabio’s revelation provides more insight into the alleged affiliation of APC leaders with terrorist elements, who had reportedly infiltrated our nation after being imported from neighboring countries by the APC, as political mercenaries, to assist it in unleashing violence to rig the 2019 general elections.

    “The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the APC and its leaders have failed to account for these mercenaries and have remained silent despite widespread demands by Nigerians asking the APC to return these killers to wherever they brought them,” the statement added.

    Moreover, Senator Akpabio’s position also points to the shocking unmasking of a member of the APC led Federal Executive Council, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as a terrorism apologist.

    It is quite revealing that despite Pantami’s confession of being a terrorism apologist, the Buhari Presidency had granted him official cover, while the APC had continued in its conspiratorial silence in the face of escalated killings and occupation of parts of our nation by terrorists.

    Our party can also recall how the APC government, instead of going after the assailants, rather blamed the 43 rice farmers, who were last year beheaded by terrorists in Borno state, accusing them of not getting permission before going about their legitimate business in their own country.

    Nigerians can also recall how some governors elected on the platform of the APC where seen having photo-ops with gun-wielding bandits in addition to their vehement opposition to PDP’s call on the Federal Government to impose a national emergency on security.

    The stance of the APC and its administration have continued to embolden terrorists to escalate their activities to the extent that our nation now ranks third in the world terrorism index.

    Now that Senator Akpabio has shown that he has certain information regarding the spur for escalated acts of terrorism in our country, our party urges the DSS and other security agencies to immediately invite him for questioning so as to expose the politicians in his party that are behind the ugly situation in our country.

    Signed:

    Kola Ologbondiyan

  • DSS raises fresh alarm: ‘IPOB moving bombs in articulated trucks from Lagos to attack places in Imo’

    DSS raises fresh alarm: ‘IPOB moving bombs in articulated trucks from Lagos to attack places in Imo’

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has said the Indigenous People of Biafra’s Eastern Security Network has acquired bombs and explosives with which they intend to attack strategic places in Imo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Imo State has faced several attacks in the past weeks from unknown gunmen. Police commands, correctional service facilities and Governor Hope Uzodinma’s country home in the state have all been attacked.

    While all fingers pointed at the proscribed group for the attacks, the group has vehemently denied the claims.

    However, the secret police in a fresh alarm stated that it received intelligence that the explosives were being moved in articulated trucks from Lagos to a hideout in Orlu, Imo State.

    The DSS stated this in a letter to the Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Imo State.

    According to a report by Punch, the DSS letter with reference number, S.238/5/1538 dated April 26, 2021, was signed by I. Abdullah on behalf of the Imo State DSS Director.

    It was titled, ‘Movement of explosive devices into the state by IPOB/ESN’.’

    The letter read, “Intelligence revealed that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network has acquired bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices with which to further their subversive activities.

    “It was reliably gathered that the newly acquired items are currently being conveyed from Lagos to an unconfirmed location in Orlu Local Government Area.

    “The items are being concealed in articulated/heavy duty vehicles to beat security checks along the road. It was further revealed that the group intends to deploy the explosives in their planned attacks on security/government installations across the state.”

    The DSS, therefore, advised the Brigade commander to ensure that deployed security personnel carried out thorough search on trucks coming to the state.

    However, in a swift reaction, the proscribed IPOB denied the allegation that it was moving arms and other weaponry into Imo to destabilise the state.

    It stressed that there was no iota of truth in the “allegation coming from the Zoo agent” called Department of States Security, adding that anybody or institution was free to say whatever they liked about IPOB.

    TNG reports that security agencies in a joint operation on Sunday killed prominent leaders of the group in their base in Imo State.

  • AY’s wife calls out DSS for refusing to act on a crime involving family

    AY’s wife calls out DSS for refusing to act on a crime involving family

    Mabel Makun the wife of popular Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun has called out the Department of Security Service for refusing to act on a misconduct involving their family.

    Recounting her pain in a post shared via her Instagram page on Friday, April 23, 2021, the mother of one, expressed her frustration at the way and manner the security agency has responded to the issue.

    “So DSS Nigeria has a petition from my family in their office and for the past 6 months have refused to attend to it. If there is anything I hate the most is having to put out private issues but from this part of the world, authorities have a way of not urgently attending to life-threatening issues,” she wrote.

    “Should I start posting video evidences of this criminal act before actions will be taken against all the parties involved? Or should we continue to be quiet while innocent citizens die every day in this country? I need everyone’s opinion please. @dssnigeria.”

    In another post, Makunwent on to write about how the situation has made her depressed for months.

    “So for months,I experienced the full meaning of depression. Till date,there are days that I still hide and cry my eyes out. Only those very close to me can tell exactly what I went through trying to gain my sanity back. I am a lot better now but what about those that probably did not survive? do the needful,” she added.