News
‘Politicians Using DSS To Harass Opposition’
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has cautioned the Department of State Services (DSS), against being used by politicians to intimidate and harass perceived opposition.
The party was reacting to an alleged report that some principal officers, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader and other principal officers of the Zamfara State House of Assembly were arrested and detained by the secret police.
The opposition party maintained that the alleged arrest and detention contravenes “Section 3 of the Legislative Houses Act which protects the legislature from prosecution.”
According to the party’s twitter handle @pdpNigeria, the secret police has no powers to arrest lawmakers while carrying out their constitutional duties.
The tweet reads, “we are concerned by the report of the arrest of members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly by the State Security Service for performing their legislative duties as provided by the Constitution.
“A press release by the Chairman, ZSHA Committee on Information indicates that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, other principal members of the ZSHA and supporting staff have been arrested and detained for investigating Governor A. A. Yari on the grounds of abuse of office, misappropriation of statutory allocations, misappropriation of bailout funds.
“We are concerned that the arrest and detention is being carried out in contravention of Section 3 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act which protects members of the legislature from prosecution for the performance of their lawful duties as provided for by the Constitution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we posit that the DSS not only lacks the power to arrest members of the ZSHA or any Legislative House for carrying out their lawful duties, but also ought not to be used as a tool with which to harass real or perceived political enemies. For the purposes of clarity, the DSS was established by Section 3 of the National Security Agencies Act.
“We urge the DSS to immediately release the lawmakers and to refrain from being used by politicians as a tool to harass and intimidate opponents.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
