TheCable

The Department of State Services (DSS) says some security agencies, “which have continually engaged in illegal operations”, have been impersonating the organisation

In a statement on Thursday, the agency cited the raid of the residence of Namadi Sambo, former vice-president, by the police as one of such illegal operations for which the agency was impersonated.

The secret police warned security personnel to stop impersonating the agency.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted, with dismay and total condemnation, the activities of impostors including some security agencies who have continually engaged in illegal security operations, allegedly in the name of the service, in parts of the country,” the DSS said in a statement signed by Tony Opuiyo on Thursday.

“These impersonators, in some instances, try to mimic the service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia especially operational dress codes. The aim, according to information available to the service, is to accord semblance of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS was, in fact, involved. An instance was the recent search which the DSS was falsely accused to have carried out at the Kaduna residence of the former vice president, His Excellency, Namadi Sambo. Another was the one executed at No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, belonging to Sahara Energy Company.”

The agency advised Nigerians “to be wary of these ugly trends and also be informed that not all operatives in black uniforms are personnel of the DSS”.

“The service is indeed not sparing any efforts to ensure that this is brought to a complete stop. In line with its standard operational procedures, the service will, in the spirit of public accountability, always inform stakeholders of its activities on the basis of need-to-know principle. Persons and groups, with useful information about suspected illegal operations in any part of the country, are encouraged to avail same to the service for prompt action,” it added.