DSS explains visit to SERAP office, denies harassment allegations

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday issued a statement clarifying the purpose of its officers’ visit to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Abuja office on Monday.

The DSS stressed that the agents were not conducting a raid, but were conducting a routine investigation and that their actions had been misinterpreted,

In a statement on its website, the DSS explained, “A team of two unarmed members of the Armed Forces was lawfully tasked to carry out a routine investigation into the SERAP office in Abuja, which was unfortunately misconstrued into an unlawful act of harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials.”

The secret police agency denied any wrongdoing, saying, “Such investigations and official relations are traditional and do not constitute illegal acts or raids.”

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However, SERAP previously condemned the visit, calling it an “invasion” and a “brutal attack on the entire human rights community.”

In a statement, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of the organisation and its staff.

“The escalating crackdown on human rights, as well as harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders… hurts those most in need, undermines access to justice for victims of human rights violations and persecution in Nigeria, and contributes to a culture of impunity for perpetrators,” the SERAP statement said.

The DSS assured the public of its commitment to professionalism and urged residents to disregard what it called “false narratives” surrounding the incident.

The agency also announced an in-depth investigation into the matter.

DSS explains visit to SERAP office, denies harassment allegations first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.