The Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified that its operatives were not involved in the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election.
The DSS issued this statement to correct “erroneous” reports circulating in some media outlets that incorrectly suggested their involvement.
A senior official from the agency, speaking with Daily Trust on Sunday, emphasized that the DSS would employ all legal means available if they needed to address any issues with individuals.
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Sowore was apprehended on Sunday morning at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State by Nigerian Immigration officials but was subsequently released.
“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me,” Sowore had written.
However, a few hours later, Sowore took to his official X account to announce that he had been released by the Nigerian Immigration Service and that his passport had been returned.
“I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me”, the activist-turned-politician had disclosed.
However, a senior officer at the DSS headquarters revealed that Sowore’s name, previously on the secret police watchlist, has now been removed.
“See, what I can tell you is that the name of the man in question was on our watchlist before, but we had since removed it.
“Our new DG is determined to reform and reposition the Department of State Service (DSS) as a responsible and responsive organisation.
“In that case, I want to state categorically that our officers were not involved in his arrest, so, Nigerians should discard the fake news of the DSS’ involvement,” the source said.
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