The
Department of State Security
Service, has explained why it raided the home of former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and why he was also detained. Below is a
statement they released, signed by Tony Opuiyo, explaining their side
of things. “On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible
intelligence linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col
Rtd) with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the
Nigerian State, operatives of the Department of State Services (
DSS)
conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA,
Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd). The properties are on Nos. 13, John
Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja,
and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State. “The
search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but
DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at
No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a
genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last
not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till
the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of
maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task
and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief
of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a
clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service
operatives, as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to
allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting
court order. SAMBO thereafter raised a
false alarm
to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to
correctly tell the military that his property was about to be
legitimately
searched.
“Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO retired from the Army as a Colonel,
and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact
he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after
his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled. “The search
was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were
some incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber
rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears. “The team also recovered twelve (12)
new vehicles,
out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all
exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to
produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with
five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all
available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being
kept for possible sinister enterprise. “The Service would want to state
categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt. The
Service decided to move at this time in line with
current management
resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for
impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days.
The Service is also aware that the
lethal arms and the vehicles recovered were not reflected in SAMBO’s
handover
notes or what could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and
bullet proof cars which put together could disrupt the peace of any city
in Nigeria for a while. “On the search of his three (3) properties,
including the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his
capacity and given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his
residences for such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence.
“Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure
members of the public that it would not trample on
the freedom
of individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and
emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency,
and probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is
the driving force for all DSS operations.
Read the full text of the SSS statement below: Gentlemen of the Press, good evening.
2.
On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence
linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd) with
alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State,
operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search
on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI
(Col Rtd). The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46,
Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni
Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
3. The search
operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI,
refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13
John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and
duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than
two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours
of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and
professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very
good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army
Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash
between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service operatives,
as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into
his house, despite the subsisting court order. SAMBO thereafter raised a
false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed
to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be
legitimately searched.
4. Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO
retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have
military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA. Even as NSA, such
guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he
would not have been entitled.
5. The search was thoroughly
conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some
incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high
assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.
6.
The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five
(5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles
were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence
of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet
proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all available
evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for
possible sinister enterprise.
7. The Service would want to
state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt. The
Service decided to move at this time in line with current management
resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for
impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days.
The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles
recovered were not reflected in SAMBO’s handover notes or what could a
former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which
put together could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a
while.
8. On the search of his three (3) properties, including
the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his capacity and
given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his residences for
such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence.
9.
Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure
members of the public that it would not trample on the freedom of
individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and
emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency, and
probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is the
driving force for all DSS operations.
However, the Service would
not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter how
highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the
laws of the Federation. The days for impunity and indecisiveness in the
face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are
over.
The Service hereby appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner
with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation. In the same vein,
those that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful
co-existence due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired
or imaginary hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are
being warned to rethink. The DSS will use all constitutional means as
defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic
individuals.
10. The Management want to seize this opportunity
to appreciate Nigerians for the tremendous acts of goodwill that is
being extended to the new dispensation. The Management also wish to
assure Nigerians that the gesture and confidence being expressed will be
reciprocated with more dedication and service to our dear country
Nigeria.
Thank you.
signed: Tony OPUIYO
- Dats fair enough...afterall what does it take to plan a coup???
- Buhari must not leave any stone unturned!!!
