We are well mannered: DSS defends its man at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport

By Monday Ijeh/Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) had disputed the report of assault on an official of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by its head of formation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, made the denial on Wednesday.

Afunanya said DSS personnel were well mannered and could not have slapped or fought a worker of another agency.

He said the news, as reported in some sections of the media, had left an impression that was not factual.

The public relations officer, therefore, called on the public to disregard the report.

According to him, for the record, no DSS staff fought or engaged in any acts prejudicial to discipline or inimical to public safety at the airport under reference.

“In line with its statutory duties, the Service recognises the Airports as one of the country’s most important assets and has remained at the forefront of protecting them and other critical ones.

“It takes their security seriously and cannot breach it. As a strategic partner, the Service holds FAAN and its staff in good esteem.

“Both agencies have, over time, enjoyed robust working relationship in the areas of training and exchange programmes,” he said.

According to him, there are other avenues than the social media to resolve any misunderstanding among staff of two agencies that have had long history of unity of purpose in the execution of their mandates.

He said the service had high value for effective interagency collaboration needed to achieve positive outcomes for good of the country.

Afunanya urged travellers to go about their normal businesses as the Service, in conjunction with relevant authorities including FAAN, were committed to their safety.

FAAN in a statement on Wednesday said the head of DSS at the airport, Safiyanu Abba, not only breached security protocol, but also slapped an aviation security official.