By Vincess Okushi
The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked false reports by sections of the online media over misleading narratives and accusations against the Service.
It said this narrative has wrongly fed the public, hence the service will not join issues with inaccuracies but for the fickle-minded and vulnerable persons as well as the unsuspecting public that may take the lies for facts.
In a press statement issued by Peter Afunanya, Ph.D. the service Public Relations Officer on 9th July 2023 said “SaharaReporters wrote that the Service stormed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and carted away certain files from them. Jackson Ude falsely claimed that there is a rumble in the DSS due to nepotism. He further accused the Service of snooping on Judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. On its part, Peoples Gazette reported that Senator Abdulaziz Yari was arrested for alleged refusal to pick up the President’s phone call (whatever that meant). “There are other variants of unsubstantiated and anonymous petitions flying around against the DGSS, his family, and some officials.
“To set the records straight, the DSS did not execute operations of any kind at the ICPC and CCB or remove files from their offices. “Instructively, the two agencies have, on their own, refuted the news in widely circulated press statements. “It is petty, if not laughable, to report that Yari was invited for refusing to pick up the President’s call. This is the height of junk journalism. “Yari knows why he was invited.”
Peter noted that the basis for denying all these allegations was because they lack factual basis or credibility. “They are only figments of the creators’ imaginations. “This is more so that the publishers in question have been noted in and outside the country for their notoriety for peddling fake news, sensational and gutter journalism. Without a modicum of proper and civilized behavior, they indulge in character assassinations and sundry blackmail as a business.
“It is not in doubt that their reports under reference are hatchet jobs designed to smear or impeach the integrity of the Service and its leadership. Notably, the Service proactively alerted the public about this development earlier in June 2023. While it is aware of the sponsors of these campaigns of calumny, it will simply allow them to exhaust themselves knowing too well that they would someday be brought to justice. Many days, it is said, are sure for the thief but there will be that one day for the owner of the house. The writers and their sponsors are oblivious to the accolades the Service has continued to receive from the majority of stakeholders for excellent performance and its professional demeanor in handling many critical issues of national importance. Rather, they have chosen to use their platforms to subvert the Agency and undermine its capabilities.
“Restating its respect for the rule of law, independence, and autonomy of other agencies including the Judiciary and Legislature, it will not shirk its responsibilities or allow some detractors to prevent it from undertaking its statutory duties or carrying out lawful orders by constituted authorities. If Yari or anyone else is to be invited or taken into custody, the Service will not hesitate to do so as far as that is procedurally done within the confines of the law.”
The Service however remained resolute to be resilient, patriotic, and professional in the conduct of its affairs even as it enjoined the public to disregard the misleading stories which are aimed at causing disaffection in the country and disparaging the Service’s leadership.DSS DEBUNKS ONLINE MEDIA ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IT SERVICE, SAYS PLOTTERS WILL SOON FACE JUSTICE
