THE State Security Service (SSS) has denied claims of intimidation or raiding the office Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), following public outcries over the agency’s actions.
The visit, which happened on Monday, September 9, hours after the secret police arrested the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, president, Joe Ajaero, sparked anger on the continued clampdown of dissenting voices and the accountability group.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 10, the SSS explained that its presence at SERAP’s office was part of its routine investigation.
The ICIR reported that the accountability and advocacy group, SERAP on its X handle, said the operatives unlawfully occupied its building, on Monday morning, demanding to see its directors.
“Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors.
“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” SERAP said in a brief statement.
Responding to this, the secret police claimed that the narrative portrayed by SERAP is ‘inaccurate’ and ‘misleading,’ adding that it operated within the framework of the law.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two (2) unarmed service operatives were lawfully detailed on routine investigation to SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and does not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M