DSS Denounces Media Report, Says Not Against INEC Chairman
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has refuted a 5th January, 2023 online publication by the Daily Trust captioned “Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman”.
The Service, through its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, said it has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired at the Court and reported it out of context.
Based on this, the Service declared its disapproval to the Editorial authorities of the Newspaper who argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, and promised to address the concerns raised by DSS but did not.
The statement, signed by Dr. Afunanya, noted the importance of guiding public understanding and perception, especially as the said report is misleading and falsely leaves an impression that the Service went to Court against the INEC Chairman.
The statament further reitterated that the Service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.
According to the statement, one of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the Service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony with a determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the Service but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.
The DSS, therefore, warned such individuals or groups to desist from their devious plans just as it advised all critical stakeholders to be vigilant and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.
While assuring Nigerians and the International Community of the Service’s commitment to the maintianing law and order, including accomplishing a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Service urged the general public to assist in the pursuit of national stability and unity.
