The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that it remains focused on its mandate and warned that no amount of protest, intimidation can stop it from carrying out its duties.
The DSS stated this while reacting to a protest by human rights lawyers, civil society groups including the Arewa Youth Consultative Movement, which raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the DSS to frame up the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged terrorism sponsorship against Nigeria.
The convener of the coalition, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, had said the security agency filed a motion in court, accusing the CBN governor of terrorism financing and other crimes it described as economic crimes of national security dimension.
But, reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, who did not state clearly if there was any suit filed against the CBN governor or not, said: “the Department of State Services wishes to clarify that one of its roles is the investigation of matters of national security dimension.
“It has always discharged this responsibility in the overall interest of Nigerian citizens. As such, the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities devoid of any sentiment.
“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to remain focused and unbiased. It will not, by any means, succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it. It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.
“Given not to joining issues, the Service warns those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions. Similarly, it urges members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.
“Notably, these elements should remember the famous axiom that “you will only deceive some people, some of the time, but not all people, all the time”. To put it succinctly, the Service will not be distracted by persons and/or groups from carrying out its duties to the Nation, citizens, President and Commander-in-Chief. Citizens are, therefore, urged to avoid being used to thwart or undermine the Service and its lawful investigations as those who wish to act in the breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
