SSS responds to Atiku, comments on attacks on Sowore and ADC candidate

The State Security Service (SSS), also called DSS, has confirmed that the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State was attacked. But the agency said its operatives did not carry out the attack.

The SSS stated that its operatives stopped the attack and ensured the safety of the candidate, Manir Dan’iya.

On 31 October, the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, spoke out against what he called "simultaneous attacks" on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and the Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya.

Atiku said, "a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise." He called for "immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks."

Atiku did not mention SSS in his post. However, on Tuesday, the agency denied an accusation from Atiku that its operatives organized protests in Sokoto State. It is not clear where Atiku made that accusation.

In a statement signed by SSS spokesperson Favour Dozie, the agency said the accusation did not match its role of protecting politicians from different parties.

Talking about the attack on the Sokoto ADC gubernatorial candidate, the SSS said its operatives "deployed" to the politician and "evacuated him to safety unhurt" during the attack on 31 October. They reported that two SSS officers were hurt during this and were still receiving treatment in the hospital.

The agency said Mr. Dan’iya called the Sokoto State director of the SSS to thank them for their help. He also asked for more security support.

But the SSS spokesperson noted that the agency's director-general, Oluwatosin Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into Atiku’s "allegation."

The SSS said, "Though these operations to protect all political parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman."

The agency also mentioned the arrest and prosecution of a man accused of threatening to attack Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the SSS, Udeme Steven was arrested in Rivers State on 2 March over the alleged threat against Mr. Obi. The agency said Mr. Steven was taken to the Federal High Court in Rivers State and given a two-year prison sentence.

The SSS stated that this case showed its commitment to protecting political candidates no matter their party.

The agency also referred to a similar accusation from Mr. Sowore, who claimed that SSS officials might have been involved in an attack on him and his team in Ekiti State.

The SSS said it welcomed the police investigation into the incident, which it said had led to a preliminary report finding an "altercation" as the cause. They added that the police had arrested 11 suspects and were waiting for the investigation results.

"We await the outcome of the police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter," the SSS said. They added that they would keep working responsibly under their current director-general.