DSS denies raiding ex-VP Sambo’s house

DSS operatives have denied raiding the home of former Vice President Namadi Sambo

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday denied raiding the Kaduna home of former vice-president, Namadi Sambo and the Abuja office of Sahara Energy.

In a statement, the agency’s spokesman, Tony Opuiyo said the raids were the handiwork of impostors, some of whom, it said are also security agencies.

“The DSS has noted with dismay and total condemnation, the activities of impostors, including some security agencies who have continually engaged in illegal security operations.

“Consequently, the public is hereby alerted to be wary of these ugly trends and also informed that not all operatives in black uniforms are personnel of the DSS,” he said.

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He said that the impostors in some cases tried to imitate the service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia.

Opuiyo added that the aim was to accord semblance of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS was, in fact, involved.

Former Vice President of Nigeria Namadi Sambo

He said 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, Alhaji Namadi Sambo.

The operative said another was the one executed at a No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, belonging to Sahara Energy Company.

He advised the public to be wary of these ugly trends, adding that not all operatives in black uniforms were personnel of the service.

“The Service is indeed not sparing any efforts to ensure that this is brought to a complete stop,“he said.

He said that in line with its standard operational procedures, the Service would always inform stakeholders of its activities.

Opuiyo enjoined the public to always avail the service with useful information about suspected illegal operations in any part of the country for prompt action.

The raid on Sambo’s home in Kaduna on 28 June, was carried out by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. The Commission had since acknowledged it did so and was misled by a whistleblower.

The whistleblower, one Abubakar Sani Chindo has been arraigned at a Kaduna High Court for allegedly providing false information.

He pleaded “not guilty”.