The State Security Services (SSS) has denied a viral video clip showing one of its alleged personnel conveying armed thugs in a sports utility vehicle earlier today in Abuja.
In the video clip seen by TODAY POLITICS, a man dressed in suits drove a masked SUV and ferried armed thugs in the automobile after they attacked Abuja protesters demanding police reforms.
A voice of a lady who recorded the clip from a storey building is heard alleging that the man is a security agent. Another video clip seen by this reporter showed another man still on suit and drove a different SUV conveying the hoodlums who arrived a protest scene and unleashed mayhem on the demonstrators.
The federal government is accused of sponsoring the attacks on the peaceful protests which began last week.
But in a statement this evening, the spokesman of the self-styled Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, explained that the outfit of the men should not be used in adjudging them to be the personnel of the secret police.
“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the fake news making the round that its personnel are aiding pro-SARS supporters and thugs to attack #ENDSARS protesters in Abuja. Part of the untruth being spewed to the public is that some of its officials attached to certain VIPs aided thugs in this regard,” Mr Afunanya wrote.
“In view of the false accusations, no DSS personnel has, so far, been identified to be involved in the alleged acts. It begs the question to conclude that SUVs and persons dressed in suits and sighted in conflict environments are of the DSS. Fact is that no staff of the DSS will engage in acts as the ones being peddled by these rumour mongers and hate speakers.
“The Service is a responsible professional Organization and will endeavor to remain so at all times. It, therefore, wishes to state that the allegations leveled against it are not true and can only be taken as false narratives designed to cast it in bad image as well as inflame the protests.
“Consequently, the public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from sections of the social and mainstream media, subversive groups and interests.
“The Service uses this opportunity to call on citizens to eschew bitterness, remain law abiding and cooperate with security agencies and indeed, the Government for lasting peace and public safety,” he added.
