The Department of State Services, DSS, has refuted allegations by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, that its officers unlawfully occupied the organization’s offices in Abuja and Lagos.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the DSS described the claims as “inaccurate and misleading,” noting that its visit to SERAP’s Abuja office was part of a routine investigation. Responding to multiple inquiries on the matter, the DSS clarified that its officers were not involved in any form of harassment or intimidation.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the record, two unarmed DSS operatives were dispatched for lawful routine investigations at the SERAP office in Abuja,” the statement read.
The department emphasized that such actions are standard procedure and do not constitute an illegal raid, assuring the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the allegation.
The DSS reassured the public of a thorough investigation into the allegations, while urging citizens to participate in the country’s national security management efforts. It called on the public to disregard the “false narrative” and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism in fulfilling its mandate.
The accusations stemmed from SERAP’s claim, made via its official X handle, that DSS officers had occupied its Abuja office and demanded to meet the organization’s directors. it linked the alleged harassment to its recent call for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reverse the fuel price hike and investigate corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.
SERAP condemned the visit in a statement by its deputy director, describing it as an invasion of their rights and calling on President Tinubu to instruct the DSS to halt the intimidation. The rights group reiterated its demand for the government to take action against corruption and uphold the rule of law.
SERAP’s statement read: “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.
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“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 noted that it 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,” the statement added.
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