DSS fumes over reports on invasion of Lagos Assembly, demands apology, retraction

By Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS) has demanded apology from two television stations namely Da’ar Communications Plc (aka AIT) and Channels Television, and other media platforms over reports that its operatives invaded Lagos House of Assembly.

In separate letters to the two television stations, the legal department of DSS demanded apology and retraction of reports purporting that their operatives invaded the Lagos Assembly on Monday.

In one of the letters dated February 17, 2025, Entitled “False, Defamatory and Malicious Publication Concerning the State Security Service (aka DSS) Regarding Their Presence at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday February 17, 2025,” the Service through its legal team, Adedipe and Adedipe demanded a retraction of the story and apology.

DSS noted in the letter that contrary to the claims of the two television station, it was the Clerk of the Assembly who invited its operatives and police personnel to help secure the Assembly following fear of impending invasion by hoodlums.

The letter noted that the two media houses nonetheless ran reports that its operatives and those of the police invaded the Assembly Gestapo style.

The Service gave the media organizations seven (7) days to run apologies in their respective news channels five times a day for three days running, or face legal action.

Recall contrary to reports by a section of the media, a widely circulated letter on Monday DSS and the police were invited by authorities of Lagos House of Assembly to maintain order following fears that the impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa was planning to invade the legislative chamber and regain his seat.

In the letter dated 14th February, 2025, the Lagos Assembly management told Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information that plans were afoot to forcefully reinstate the impeached Speaker of the State Assembly on the 18th February, 2025.

This, noted the Assembly management, posed “a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.”

The letter, which bore reference number
LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, was signed by the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun. It was addressed to the DSS Director in the State, as well as the heads of other security agencies in Lagos State.

Entitled URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES, the Acting Clerk wrote: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.
The letter was addressed to the
“The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume to office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and
its members.

“In light of this situation,” continued the Clerk, “we kindly request that you tak enecessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday 16* February, 2025 by increasing the presence of your Men and as well observe a strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice.”

He concluded this, “we look forward to your prompt attention Sir. Thank you.”

See the letters below

Da’ar communications acknowledgement

Document 11