Sowore: We didn’t open fire on protesters – DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that operatives of the service didn’t open fire on protesters at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

A press statement by DSS Public Relations Officer (PRO) Peter Afunanya, Wednesday in Abuja, said: “The DSS wishes to state that its operatives did not open fire on alleged protesters who had stormed its facility on November 12, 2019.  

“As a normal global security practice, the operatives stood in defence of their facility when some group of persons made unruly attempts to forcefully break into the place and effect the release of Omoloye Sowore. 

“Despite serial and unwarranted provocations, the service, as a professional and responsible organisation, did not shoot at the so-called protesters.  It could not have done so.

“For emphasis, the service reiterates its avowed readiness to release Sowore once the processes are concluded.  It maintains that the appropriate persons have still not turned up to take delivery of Sowore.”

The spokesperson further said, “While all those that have so far shown up are not directly concerned with the matter and therefore unqualified, many others have either chosen to grandstand or politicise it to achieve hidden interests.”

He decried the fact that, “In the last few days, the Service has continued to witness deliberate campaigns of calumny, threats and aspersions against it. It will not, for any reason, join issues with its mudslinhgers,” even as he called on the media to be neutral and remain champions of the truth.  

According to Afunanya, “It is only appropriate that those who stood surety for Sowore present themselves and have him released to them.  It is even more disappointing that Femi Falana, who is a senior lawyer, would wrongly guide his client and supporters.

“He is rather playing to the gallery and mobilizing miscreants to subvert the Service and other state authorities. He has excellent relationship with the DGSS but in the circumstance, he has refused to reach out to him over the case like he had on previously related ones.”

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the service restates its commitment to the rule of law and particularly respect to the Court.  It, therefore, calls for calm but states that it will not be intimidated or harassed into hasty actions. 

“It reassures the public that it will not waste a second to release Sowore if the proper processes are followed.  And Falana, sure, knows what these are.”

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