The Department of State Services (DSS) has labeled the claims made by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) regarding its officers allegedly taking over its offices in Abuja and Lagos as “inaccurate and misleading.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, the department emphasized the need to clarify the situation, having received numerous inquiries regarding the issue. The DSS clarified that its officers had conducted a routine investigation at SERAP’s offices and were not there to intimidate anyone.
The statement read, “This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the record, a team of two unarmed Service operatives was lawfully assigned to conduct a routine investigation at SERAP’s office in Abuja. Unfortunately, this has been misrepresented as unlawful harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials. The Service would like to emphasize that such official inquiries and engagements are standard practice and do not constitute illegality or a raid.”
Furthermore, the DSS assured the public of a thorough investigation into the allegations and encouraged citizens to actively engage in national security management.
The DSS encourages the public to dismiss these false narratives and reaffirms its dedication to maintaining the highest level of professionalism in fulfilling its core responsibilities,” the statement noted.
In a post on its X handle on Monday, SERAP characterized the DSS’s actions as an “unlawful occupation.” The organization reported that the officers were insisting on meeting with its directors. SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the DSS to put an end to what it described as “harassment, intimidation, and attacks on the rights of Nigerians.
The statement reads: “Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are currently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja and are demanding to meet with our directors. President Tinubu must take immediate action to direct the SSS to cease the harassment, intimidation, and violations of the rights of Nigerians.”
SERAP indicated that the occupation of its office coincided with its appeal to President Tinubu and his administration to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse what it termed the illegal and unconstitutional increase in fuel prices, as well as to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC.
In a statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization expressed, “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS). The Tinubu administration must urgently direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.
It quoted human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, as saying: “We condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must take immediate action to identify the officers responsible for this invasion conducted in the name of the government. Those found accountable must face prosecution. The government must allow human rights defenders to operate freely, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.”
SERAP’s statement included: “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS, along with the harassment and intimidation of our staff members, is a severe assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
The increasing crackdown on human rights, along with the harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders—who have demonstrated remarkable courage in their efforts—harms those most in need, obstructs access to justice for Nigerian victims of rights violations and abuses, and fosters a culture of impunity among perpetrators.
This government has a responsibility to support and protect civil society organizations and human rights defenders. We are deeply concerned about the escalating restrictions on civic space and the severe crackdown on the rights of Nigerians.
President Tinubu must urgently direct the relevant authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the invasion of our offices and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to operate freely in fulfilling our mandates as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution of 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.
Nigerian authorities must put an end to the harassment and intimidation against SERAP and ensure the safety and security of our staff.
If the Tinubu government fails to take all necessary measures to immediately halt the intimidation and harassment of SERAP or any other civil society group, SERAP will pursue appropriate legal action both nationally and internationally to challenge this brutal crackdown and hold the authorities accountable for their constitutional and international human rights obligations.
SERAP will persist in challenging any attempts to restrict, silence, or eliminate the voices of credible civil society in the country. We urge the presidency to take a strong stance against the intimidation and harassment directed at SERAP and our staff.
According to the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and international human rights law, every individual whose rights are violated is entitled to an effective remedy. The ability to expose human rights violations and seek redress largely depends on the level of security granted to civil society organizations and human rights defenders.
While some may not agree with everything SERAP has expressed, this does not in any way justify the invasion of our office or the harassment and intimidation of our staff members. The authorities must demonstrate their commitment to protecting the right to freedom of expression and ensuring favorable conditions for civil society to thrive.
