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Tag: DSS

  • DSS Warns Against Flaunting of Wealth on Social Media

    DSS Warns Against Flaunting of Wealth on Social Media

    The Directorate of State Services, DSS, has warned upwardly mobile individuals, especially the youth, to desist from the growing fad of reckless display of material wealth so as not to attract the attention of violent criminals, especially kidnappers and armed robbers.

    In a statement released, the security agency says it is common to see young people displaying their fleet of flashy cars, newly completed and luxuriously furnished mansions, and raw cash to show they have “blown” (made it). The agency says some get themselves conspicuously videoed spraying bundles of cash at ceremonies and post it to social media for maximum publicity. Others ask members of the public to drop their account numbers to receive financial windfalls.

    The agency opined that coming at a time that criminality is getting more sophisticated and violent, this fad simply ”makes no sense.” According to the security agency, these criminals are always on the watch out for an opportunity to strike.

    ”Even if the wealth flaunter adequately secures himself or herself, what about their loved ones who are put at risk?

    The unfortunate thing is that what these individuals see as “wealth” is not much in real terms, particularly if they have no sure means of sustaining the income. Many celebrities have flaunted wealth only to turn beggars a few years down the road.

    We advise anyone who feels he or she has arrived materially to apply common sense. They should save for the rainy day which is sure to come. They should acquire financial education and invest wisely to secure their future. They should borrow a leaf from accomplished, genuinely wealthy industrialists like Aliko Dangote, Cosmas Maduka, Folorunsho Alakija and others who live humble lifestyles despite their enormous wealth.

    It is unfortunate that our law enforcement agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; the federal and state tax agencies and others, are not doing enough to clamp down on people who display wealth, verify their sources and tax them appropriately.

    These agencies must wake up and act. Adequate taxation and moderation of the excesses of citizens are parts of the functions of governance. These wealth advertisers portray the moral rot in society. They unwittingly send the wrong signals, especially to fellow youth to pursue material wealth by all means, thus worsening the crime rates in society.

    Those who have actually made it and want to benefit the less privileged ones should emulate singer, David Adeleke (Davido), who once raised N200 million and added N50 million from his pocket which he donated to orphanages around the country.

    Let there be sanity. ” the statement in part read

  • Kogi Govt. Has No Links To Ibrahim’s Arrest – DSS

    Kogi Govt. Has No Links To Ibrahim’s Arrest – DSS

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday in Lokoja refuted the allegation of a woman who identified herself as the wife of one Shafiu Ibrahim who claimed that her husband was arrested by DSS.

    The woman, in a viral video, had claimed that her husband, who was linked to terrorism, was abducted by people who identified themselves as operatives of the DSS, alleging that the Kogi State Government, particularly the Governor of the state and his Chief of Staff, were behind his ordeal.

    Reacting to the allegations in a statement and made available to the Press on Thursday, the Spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya, said Aisha was either deliberately lying or playing to the gallery.

    She had also claimed that despite being pregnant, the DSS personnel that broke into their house assaulted her and others on the said day.

    The DSS said, “She is either playing to the gallery or deliberately lying. It is not to my knowledge that she was denied access at the Agency’s gate. The DSS does not deny anyone access to its facility or suspects once the criteria for such access are met.”

    “There are processes/procedures in this regard. It is also very unfortunate that the lady is dragging the Service into the Kogi State local politics. She knows very well that the husband was not picked as a result of Kogi politics as she has desperately tried to link us with or make the public believe.”

    “ The service encouraged her to desist from using fake news, hate speech, hostile activism, misleading narratives, and other instruments of disinformation against the Service or to curry unnecessary public sympathy.

    “She knows her husband and the circumstances of his arrest which was procedurally done. And he was not the only person so arrested at the time he was.”

    The department therefore warned the woman to desist from misleading the public with fake news, hate speech, misleading narratives, and other instruments of disinformation against the Service to curry unnecessary public unrest and sympathy.

  • Stop destruction of campaign billboards, banners – DSS warns

    Stop destruction of campaign billboards, banners – DSS warns

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned that the destruction of campaign posters and billboards in Kano metropolis in the last weeks is capable of upsetting the relative peace the state is enjoying.

    Recall that the internal crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) between the deputy governorship candidate, Murtala Sule-Garo and the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, earlier in the month had degenerated into the destruction of campaign posters and billboards belonging to the party, which in turn heightened security concerns in the state.

    But speaking on Thursday at a meeting, organised by the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano for political parties and other stakeholders, the Director of DSS, Kano Command, Alhassan Muhammad, said the secret police and other sister agencies would henceforth crack down on anyone found carrying out such destruction or any other activities that could threaten the peace in the state. 

    On his part, the new INEC REC, Ambassador Zango Abdu, reiterated the commission’s resolve to ensure a level playing ground for all parties in the forthcoming election.

     The commissioner of police, Mamman Dauda, who was also recently posted to the state, also assured that the police would remain neutral and non-partisan in the election, while also promising to further engage the political parties and other stakeholders.

  • Lady Who Jumped Into Lagos Lagoon Identified As DSS Staff

    Lady Who Jumped Into Lagos Lagoon Identified As DSS Staff

    The lady who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon Thursday afternoon has been identified as Adetutu Adedokun, a staff of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Sources in the office revealed that she is an unarmed combat instructor who stepped into the shoes of her parents who worked with the plain cloth service.

    Just a few months ago, Adedokun who was in her late 30s, received a letter of commendation from the Director General of DSS as the best-unarmed combat operative in her set.

    The victim’s fiance was also reported to have proposed to her a few weeks ago. She had alighted from a Uber taxi car on the bridge and plunged into the lagoon Thursday afternoon. The driver of the taxi claimed she was having a heated conversation with her fiance before alighting from the car.

    Shortly after the incident, the LRT, Men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and officials of the DSS swung into action in search of the victim.

    A search operation has been launched since the incident.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a fresh confirmation on Friday, also said that the search and rescue team is still on the water trying to locate the body

  • US Terror Attack Warning: DSS calls for Calm In Abuja

    US Terror Attack Warning: DSS calls for Calm In Abuja

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has reacted to the security alert issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria to Americans alerting them of possible attacks in Abuja.

    The United States embassy in Nigeria had on Sunday October 23, warned Americans in the country to be cautious of their movement in response to “elevated risk of terror attacks,” specifically in Abuja.

    “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.”

    “The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice. Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.In a security alert issued on Sunday, the US advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its website.

    Reacting to the security alert, the DSS in a statement released by its spokesperosn Peter Afunanya, said it has repeatedly issued similar warnings in the past, while advising Nigerians to be cautious and work with other security agencies to maintain the peace.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.

    While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them. Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja,” the statement read

  • Tukur Mamu Part of International Terrorist Network, Threat to Nigeria – DSS

    Tukur Mamu Part of International Terrorist Network, Threat to Nigeria – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused Tukur Mamu, the Kaduna train attack negotiator, of aiding and abetting acts of terrorism.

    This was made known in an affidavit in support of an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022 and filed before Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Justice Maha had issued a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the DSS, Ahmed Magaji, granting the security agency permission to detain Mamu for 60 more days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    The security agency alleged that Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald, was involved in the funding of international and local terrorism.

    It claimed that Mamu shares information with terrorist groups, resulting in the escalation of bandit attacks in the country.

    “Preliminary investigation so far established, amongst others, the offences of the logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism, as well as terrorism financing against him,” the DSS was said to have written in the affidavit.

    “That the defendant (Mamu) has used the cover of his profession as a journalist to aid both local and international terrorist groups. That the action of the defendant has orchestrated the untimely death of several security personnel in north-central and north-eastern parts of Nigeria.

    “That the defendant has discreetly given several information to bandits and terrorists that escalated various acts of terrorism in Nigeria. That the investigation has assumed a wider dimension and sophistication requiring time and advanced expertise to conclude.

    “That some of the suspects working with the defendant are at large and premature release of the defendant will jeopardise the ongoing investigation. That it is in the interest of justice and national security to grant this application.

    “That the activities of the defendant and his associates at large constitute a potent threat to the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.”

    Mamu was arrested at the Kano International Airport after he returned from Egypt where he had been detained on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.

    The DSS further alleged that Mamu, who negotiated between terrorists and families of kidnap victims, was part of an international terrorist network and used the cover of journalism to perpetrate his deeds.

    It claimed that he was on his way to an international terrorist summit when he was intercepted in Egypt.

    The DSS, in the application, had sought “an order enabling the State Security Service/applicant to detain the respondent (Mamu) for a period of 60 days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of investigation.”

    In the affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion deposed to by Hamza Pandogari, a legal officer with the DSS, he said it was necessary for Mamu to be detained for 60 days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of the investigation of various acts of terrorism against him.

    Pandogari alleged that Mamu, “The self-acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator exploited the opportunity to perpetrate, aid, and abet, as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations.

    “That upon his interception and subsequent repatriation back to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed in his residence.

    “That upon his interception and subsequent repatriation back to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed in his residence and office at No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA and No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State and various exhibits and items to establish his complicity with terrorists were recovered.”

    The agency listed some of the items recovered from Manu’s residence and office to include $151 dollars, £20, 1,530 Indian rupees; one Saudi riyal; 70 dirhams; N 1,506,000, and 16 assorted foreign coins.

    The DSS also alleged that two packs of pump action cartridges; 16 ATM (Auto-Mated Machine) cards from both local and foreign banks; seven cheque books of different banks, six laptops, four tablets, 24 handsets, and three international passports, belonging to Mamu, as well as one firearm licence, eight pieces of Nigerian Army uniforms; 16 pieces of Nigerian Navy uniforms, were among the items recovered.

    “That the defendant has discreetly given several information to bandits and terrorists that escalated various acts of terrorism in Nigeria,” it said. “That the investigation has assumed a wider dimension and sophistication requiring time and advanced expertise to conclude.

    “That some of the suspects working with the defendant are at large and premature release of the defendant will jeopardise the ongoing investigation. That it is in the interest of justice and national security to grant this application. That the activities of the defendant and his associates at large constitute a potent threat to the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.”

  • DSS to keep Tukur Mamu for 60 more Days After Court Ruling

    DSS to keep Tukur Mamu for 60 more Days After Court Ruling

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted a prayer by the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain the former terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, for 60 more days.

    Justice Nkeonye Maha, in a short ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the DSS, Ahmed Magaji, granted the motion as prayed.

    The security outfit, in the motion dated and filed September 12, had urged the court to grant its reliefs to enable it conclude its investigation on Mamu, who had been leading the negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnaped in March.

    Mamu was, on September 6, arrested in Cairo, capital of Egypt, with his family members by foreign security agents.

    Mamu, who was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated back to Nigeria.

  • Keeping Mamu in Detention is Terrorism, Charge him to Court – Gumi to DSS

    Keeping Mamu in Detention is Terrorism, Charge him to Court – Gumi to DSS

    Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to either charge Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, to a court or release him from detention.

    Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, negotiated the release of persons abducted on a train to Kaduna in March 2022.

    According to Daily Trust, Gumi said this during his weekly preaching at Sultan Bello Mosque on Saturday.

    The cleric implored the secret service to take the publisher to court to face trial, adding that keeping him in custody is intimidating to his family.

    “Take him to court to face trial. Keeping him in custody despite being a family man was just to intimidate him. This intimidation is also terrorism. Arresting people unjustly is also terrorism; just like the terrorists do by going to somebody’s house to kidnap him,” Daily Trust quoted Gumi as saying.

    “How can we continue in this situation under a government that is about to wind up? Our hope is for them to finish successfully not in a bad light. It’s not about Tukur Mamu, you all know that whenever they arrest innocent people, I always talk, not to talk of someone that I know and I’m only advising the government to release him so that we can apologize to him to forget what happened.”

    On Wednesday, Mamu was arrested at the Kano international airport after he returned from Egypt, where he was detained on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.

    On Thursday, the DSS said security operatives found incriminating materials like military accoutrements and large amounts of different currencies in Mamu’s house and office.

    In a statement published in Desert Herald, his family said the military accoutrements belong to Mamu’s nephew, who passed out from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2019.

  • N2b Ransom Racketeering: DSS Raids Terrorists’ Negotiator’s Residence, Seizes Laptops, Documents

    N2b Ransom Racketeering: DSS Raids Terrorists’ Negotiator’s Residence, Seizes Laptops, Documents

    Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) invaded the Kaduna residence of arrested terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, in the early hours of Thursday.

    The operatives came in about 20 vehicles in what a witness described as a commando-styled operation.

    “They ransacked the house and carted away documents, phones and laptops. Those in the house were ordered to sign a document which they did not read before the officers took it back,” the witness said.

    It was gathered that after raiding his house, they also went to his office in Kaduna.

    Freed victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack converged on Mamu’s office before reuniting with their families.

    Security sources said Mamu was arrested for his alleged involvement in collecting ransom and taking same to terrorists in exchange for kidnapped victims.

    Mamu was arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon.

    The Kaduna-based published who was first arrested in Egypt was detained for 24 hours before he was flown back to Nigeria.

    It was observed that while the Egypt Air aircraft, which conveyed him and his family members, touched down in Kano around 1:55pm, he was immediately picked up.

    DSS operatives were stationed at the entrance of the international wing of the airport several minutes before the aircraft landed.

    Heavily armed operatives who were also in company of others dressed in mufti, were on guard at the entrance of the arrival section of the international wing of the airport where three vehicles – two hilux and one hiace- with Kano number plates parked by the entrance.

    As passengers began to file out from the arrival section, one of the hilux moved forward while the luggage, presumably of Mamu and his family members. The luggage were loaded in one of the vehicles while the one which picked Mamu zoomed off.

    In a statement, DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed Mamu’s arrest, saying the agency was grilling him over security issues.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with enquires in respect of the arrest or otherwise of Tukur Mamu, the self-acclaimed Kaduna Train hostage negotiator. This is to confirm that Manu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt on 6th September, 2022 while on his way to Saudi Arabia.

    “He has since been returned to the country, today, 7th September, 2022 and taken into the Service’s custody. The act followed a request by Nigeria’s Military, Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community to their foreign partners to bring back Mamu to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country. The public may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course.”

  • Main Reason We Arrested Train Hostage Negotiator, Tukur Mamu – DSS

    Main Reason We Arrested Train Hostage Negotiator, Tukur Mamu – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that Malam Tukur Mamu, former negotiator of victims kidnapped from a Kaduna-bound train March, is in custody.

    Recall we had earlier reported how Mamu was arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon.

    The Kaduna-based published who was first arrested in Egypt was detained for 24 hours before he was flown back to Nigeria.

    Reports have it that while the Egypt Air aircraft, which conveyed him and his family members, touched down in Kano around 1:55pm, he was immediately picked up.

    DSS operatives were stationed at the entrance of the international wing of the airport several minutes before the aircraft landed.

    Heavily armed operatives who were also in company of others dressed in mufti, were on guard at the entrance of the arrival section of the international wing of the airport where three vehicles – two hilux and one hiace- with Kano number plates parked by the entrance.

    As passengers began to file out from the arrival section, one of the hilux moved forward while the luggage, presumably of Mamu and his family members. The luggage were loaded in one of the vehicles while the one which picked Mamu zoomed off.

    In a statement, DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed Mamu’s arrest, saying the agency was grilling him over security issues.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with enquires in respect of the arrest or otherwise of Tukur Mamu, the self-acclaimed Kaduna Train hostage negotiator. This is to confirm that Manu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt on 6th September, 2022 while on his way to Saudi Arabia.

    “He has since been returned to the country, today, 7th September, 2022 and taken into the Service’s custody. The act followed a request by Nigeria’s Military, Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community to their foreign partners to bring back Mamu to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country. The public may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course.”