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Tag: dss

  • NASS siege: Obasanjo blames Buhari-led government

    NASS siege: Obasanjo blames Buhari-led government

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to the invasion of National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.

    Obasanjo said the action of the secret police was an indication of how low the current administration had taken Nigeria’s politics and democracy.

    He spoke while delivering a lecturer entitled “The challenges in Ethics in National Development” at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to Obasanjo, “Emphasis on socioeconomic development was limited only to self, families, clans, region before the nation in that order, so much so that the all-important matters of state were subverted. Nigeria has been established, but we are yet to establish and build Nigerians.

    “The real socioeconomic issues that could impact on the people directly for their welfare and well being are handled with levity and with discriminating political considerations.

    “Let nobody deceive us, economy feeds on politics and because our politics is depressing, our economy is even more depressing today.

    “What happened at the National Assembly on Tuesday, August 7th 2018, and which has been roundly condemned is an indication of how low our politics and our democracy have been taken.

    “Our constitution is very clear; one of the cardinal responsibilities of the President is the management of the economy of which the value of the naira forms an integral part.”

  • NASS Siege: European Union condemns DSS, warns against truncating Nigeria’s democracy

    The European Union (EU) on Thursday reacted to the siege on the National Assembly by masked operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS).

    The union, however, warned law enforcement agencies against partisan use of state resources.

    This was revealed in a statement released by the press officer of the union, Modestus Chukwulaka, in Abuja on Thursday.

    “The EU Heads of Missions have noted with concern recent examples of interference in the democratic process by law enforcement services – the most recent case being the barring of access to the National Assembly on August 7,” the statement reads in part.

    “The EU is fully committed to supporting democracy in Nigeria, and it commends the Federal Government’s swift action to protect the independence of the National Assembly as a critical pillar of democracy,” it stated further.

    Recall that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo fired Lawal Daura as the director-general of the SSS on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the siege drew nationwide uproar.

    Osinbajo said the action was unauthorised and restated the administration’s commitment to the rule of law and respect for independent authorities.

    The acting president has been commended for his prompt intervention, including by opposition politicians and even lawmakers who initially criticised him for being complacent with Mr Daura’s apparent recklessness.

    The British High Commission had also on Tuesday condemned the siege in a statement saying it would not tolerate any disregard for democratic norms.

    While weighing in on Thursday, the EU emphasised that security agencies must be fair and professional in their conduct, especially against the backdrop of upcoming elections.

    “The EU reiterates the importance of all law enforcement services staying neutral and ensuring that independent institutions can operate in line with their constitutional mandates, free from interference and intimidation.

    “The upcoming general elections in 2019 are vital in ensuring national stability, peace and prosperity for all Nigerians. It is for the Nigerian people to decide the outcome of the elections, and the EU calls upon all stakeholders in Nigeria to play their part so that voters can make their decision through a free, fair, credible and peaceful election process,” the EU said.

  • Sacked DSS DG, Lawal Daura released from custody, passport seized

    Sacked DSS DG, Lawal Daura released from custody, passport seized

    The embattled former Director General of Department of State Services (DSS) Lawal Daura have been released with his international passport seized.

    Recall that the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday ordered the immediate sack of the top spy chief after ordering the deployment of masked DSS operatives to lay siege to the National Assembly.

    Intelligence report has it that Daura was released on Wednesday evening from a guest house run by the DSS in Gwarimpa area of Abuja where he had been placed on house arrest since dismissal on Tuesday.

    The presidency said the deployment of the DSS officials to the National Assembly was unauthorised.

    The presence of masked DSS agents who prevented federal lawmakers and staff members from entering the parliament drew nationwide outrage on Tuesday morning. By afternoon, the acting president, apparently incensed by the images of the ensued fracas being beamed across the world, ordered Daura’s instant dismissal from service.

    He was also asked to be remanded in custody, following allegations he might have committed some of the gravest heist and betrayal in Nigeria’s national security history.

    He was initially reportedly taken to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad facility in Guzape neighbourhood, Abuja, where he spent time answering questions for his highly controversial tenure at the secret police.

    Later on, he was moved to one of the numerous guests houses run by DSS around the Federal Capital Territory. Specifically, he was detained at a building in Gwarinpa, a massive residential community filling the northwestern corridor of the capital, security sources informed of the matter said.

    “He was given his phones and released to go,” a source said. “But his international passport was taken from him.”

    It was not immediately clear where Daura is currently putting up, but security sources said he would not be able to go under the radar given the intensity of surveillance already placed on him.

    His two known telephone lines were still switched as at the moment this story was ready for publication. The DSS has not had a spokesperson since September 2015, shortly after Mr Daura took over, despite demands by media advocates.

    The police did not return requests for comments about when Daura was handed over to the DSS and other details surrounding his interrogation.

     

  • Daura to remain under house arrest – Presidency

    Daura to remain under house arrest – Presidency

    The sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura will remain under house arrest.

    A presidency source who pleaded anonymity said this to newsmen yesterday.

    Daura was sacked by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, for unauthorised invasion of the National Assembly and was promptly arrested right inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by men of the Nigerian Police Force.

    The source also confirmed that Daura has been under house arrest in one of the presidential guests houses at Aso Rock.

    “He will remain there until several investigations over certain issues bordering on him are concluded,” the source added.

    Daura was fired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday following the blockade of the National Assembly complex by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    A three-paragraph statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Acting President, Laolu Akande, said the “unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

    “By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons, within the law enforcement apparatus, who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”

    In a separate statement, Akande said Osinbajo had directed “the termination of the appointment of the Director General, State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, with immediate effect.

    “Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service, until further notice,” the two-paragraph statement read. Yesterday, Osinbajo held a closed-doors meeting with the Acting Director-General of the DSS, Matthew Seiyefa and the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting started shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, also, presided by Osinbajo at about 2:30p.m. in his office. Seiyefa was appointed on Tuesday as the most senior officer in DSS, to take-over from Daura, who was sacked after the unauthorized the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives from the service.

  • NASS siege: Boma Goodhead stands out – Saraki

    NASS siege: Boma Goodhead stands out – Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday praised Honourable Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of Representatives for the role she played during the invasion of the National Assembly by armed security operatives on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru reports Saraki saying “I believe that Honourable Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of Representatives, stands out” at the world press conference he convened to address the invasion of the NASS.

    “She looked a masked security operative in the eye and dared him to shoot. She let it be known that Nigerians would not stand for the barricade at the National Assembly, that we would not be cowed.

    “It was another pointer to what is possible in this country when women take their place in leadership,” Saraki said.

    Boma on Tuesday dared operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to shoot her and others blocked from entering the National Assembly.

    The lawmaker represents Asalga/Akulga federal constituency of Rivers State.

    Infuriated that people were stopped from gaining access into the premises, Goodhead charged towards the DSS agents.

    “Start shooting, shoot this gun”, she said pointing to operatives’ rifles.

    “How many people can you shoot down here, how many?” she screamed.

    However, the operatives kept their cool and said no word.

    At a point in the video, a voice was heard appealing to Boma to calm down.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BmN8Hm9B1ob/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

     

  • NASS siege: FG gets 30 days ultimatum to investigate alleged failed coup

    NASS siege: FG gets 30 days ultimatum to investigate alleged failed coup

    Bayelsa Senator Ben Bruce has issued a 30-day deadline to the Federal Government to investigate and try those behind the invasion of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Bruce said sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura was only used as a pawn, while stressing that the “there is a big masquerade behind him”.

    “We give the Federal Government 30 days to investigate and try those behind the state sponsored terrorism whose purpose was to treasonably remove Bukola Saraki illegally.

    “Lawal Daura is a pawn, a patsy, a fall guy. There is a big masquerade behind him.

    “Lawal Daura was following someone’s orders. Who is that person? Nigerians should ask that question.

    “Even the acting President may not really know what is going on. We are waiting. 30 days and it begins now!” Bruce stated.

    Meanwhile, following the Tuesday’s drama, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced a world press conference for Wednesday.

    According to Olu W. Onemola, Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media,the world press conference will address yesterday’s invasion of the National Assembly by the armed security agents.

    Recall the Senate President yesterday convened an emergency meeting of leadership NASS for Tuesday to touch on pressing national issues seeking the urgent attention of the NASS.

    The officials were expected to meet for one hour beginning at noon, before also having a meeting with Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, at 1 p.m.

    The drama at the NASS complex yesterday meant that these meetings could not hold.

    Men of the State Security Service (DSS) took over the NASS and prevented lawmakers, journalists and staff from entrance.

    The DSS men who appeared battle ready took strategic positions at all the gates leading to the NASS premises.

     

  • NASS siege: Acting DG takes over DSS after Daura’s sack

    Sequel to the sack of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, an acting Director-General has been inaugurated for the service.

    He is Matthew Benabafa Seiyefa, who until his appointment was the director in charge of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS), an institution established in 2005 as the cardinal training institution for the DSS.

    Seiyefa is the most senior official at the SSS after Lawal Daura who was sacked on Tuesday on the orders of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The acting DG, an indigene of Bayelsa State, was director of operations between 2007 and 2010 when Afakriya Gadzama ran the agency.

    Insiders at the SSS said he is close to retirement, and was indeed billed to proceed on terminal leave later this month.

    Daura, who was appointed to the post by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, was axed over the invasion of the National Assembly Tuesday morning by masked officials of the SSS, an incident the presidency said was not authorised.

    Sources said the handing over to Seiyefa was being conducted at the Yellow House headquarters of the agency by the agency’s director of administration and logistics as Daura was not available at the ceremony.

    The sacked DG’s official convoy returned without him from the Presidential Villa to the Yellow House hours after Mr Daura was fired.

    It is not immediately clear whether and where he is being held. Insiders at the DSS said he was placed under house arrest at the presidential villa. But that could not be immediately verified.

    Multiple sources at the agency on Tuesday expressed relief over the sudden end to the Katsina State-born Daura’s three years leadership of the DSS which they said was marked by high-handedness and autocracy.

    He was said to have denied five senior officials their official quarters in Abuja, instead allocating the facilities to his relations who are not officials of the agency.

    Daura was also said to have cancelled the regular meeting of the DG with state directors, the traditional channel for briefing his office on security issues around the country and the forum for top level evaluation of operations.

    He also closed the regular channel of communication with the public as he refused to appoint a spokesperson for the agency throughout his tenure.

    Osinbajo had earlier met with Mr. Seiyefa at the presidential villa shortly after sacking Daura, and directing him to hand over to the most senior official in the service.

    Seiyefa arrived the presidential villa in an official SUV at about 4 p.m., clutching a file.

    He was received at the entrance of the Villa by the aide de camp to the acting president. He later left for the DSS headquarters after the meeting to take charge of the security agency.

  • UK condemns DSS siege at National Assembly, demands respect for lawmakers

    The British High Commission on Tuesday condemned the invasion of the National Assembly siege by masked officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The United Kingdom Government reiterated its commitment to the actualisation of a democratic process that recognises the rights of Nigerians to participate in election process.

    “We are aware of media reports of a situation at the National Assembly this morning. We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.

    “The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for. We favour a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that,” Joe Abuku, a spokesperson for the UK Embassy in Abuja, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

    The statement comes hours after Ben Murray-Bruce, a senator from Bayelsa State, asked that foreign sanctions be meted on those involved in the siege at the parliament.

    Murray-Bruce accused senior officials of the Buhari administration of being involved in the blockading of the National Assembly by masked officials of the State Security Service, saying he would help ensure that their visas and those of their families are revoked by Western countries.

    The National Assembly was taken over by SSS operatives, supported by the police, earlier Tuesday, amidst claims that there was an attempt to forcibly remove Senate President Bukola Saraki from office.

    Scores of senators and members of the House of Representatives were initially blocked from entering into the National Assembly premises, but all of them were later allowed to move in after threatening to force their way in.

    The security operatives also blocked all other staff members of the National Assembly, including the clerk of the parliament, as well as journalists and other independent observers of legislative process.

    There was a protest by civil society groups to force the security agencies to back down, but they declined. All the lawmakers who entered the premises were unable to conduct much legislative process since the clerk and other staff members were unavailable.

    The development has been widely condemned by opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and several state governors, who warned against the use of security agents as repressive tools against an independent arm of government.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who has been called on to act to check the excesses of security agencies, responded by summoning Lawal Daura, the head of SSS, and Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris.

    Daura was summarily dismissed and asked to hand over to the most-senior official behind him, a move that has sent ripples through the country’s political and security circles.

  • BREAKING: Sacked DSS DG, Lawal Daura, arrested, detained

    BREAKING: Sacked DSS DG, Lawal Daura, arrested, detained

    Following the termination of the appointment of DG of DSS, Lawal Daura, reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com have it that he (Daura) has been arrested.

    Daura was reportedly whisked away by three Police vans including two Toyota Hilux vehicles and a jeep.

    While the State House reporters were awaiting his exit from the office of the Vice President, Daura was taken away via the backdoor.

    Confirmation of the arrest is being awaited as at the time this report was filed.

     

    More details later…

  • BREAKING: Acting President, Osinbajo sacks DG of DSS over invasion of NASS

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has terminated the appointment of the Director General of DSS, Lawal Daura over invasion of the National Assembly earlier today.

    Osinbajo on Tuesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director-General of the Department of State Security, Daura at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Following the meeting, Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.

    A statement by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said.

    “Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order.”

    “By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.” Akande stated

    It was gathered that the two security chiefs, who arrived Aso Rock at different times, were to update the acting president on security developments including the blockade of the National Assembly by security officials.

    The Inspector-General of Police was the first to arrive at about 12.35 p.m. before the arrival of the DSS Director General at about 1.15 p.m.

    The police and operatives of the DSS early on Tuesday, blocked the main gate of the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers and staff from gaining access into the complex. The security operatives, however, later allowed the lawmakers access into the complex while journalists and other staff were barred.