Falana, Sani, Sowore, others decry DSS raid on SERAP office
…As Amnesty Int’l accuses Tinubu of gagging dissenting voices, calls for end to harassment
…Activist condemns attacks, describes Tinubu as ‘General of Facism’
Outrage and condemnation have trailed the violent raid on the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, Senator ShehuSani, and activist OmoyeleSowore, among others, have denounced the attack as an affront to democracy and a brazen attempt to silence civil society groups.
The raid, which has been described as ‘Gestapo-like,’ has raised concerns about the escalating crackdown on dissenting voices and the shrinking civic space in the country.
Femi Falana, has strongly condemned the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Falana described the invasion as unlawful and an abuse of power, and called on the Federal Government to prosecute those responsible.
In a statement, Falana said, “I condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must urgently fish out the officers who carried out the invasion of SERAP’s office in the name of the government. Anyone found to be responsible for the invasion must be prosecuted.
“The government must allow human rights defenders to freely carry out their work, consistent with the Nigerian Constitution.”
The invasion of SERAP’s office has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for an end to the harassment and intimidation of Nigerians. SERAP had raised the alarm via its official handle, saying that DSS operatives had taken over its Abuja office and called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the DSS to cease the harassment, intimidation, and attacks on Nigerians’ rights.
Amnesty International has also criticised the invasion, stating that the President is going too far in his administration’s efforts to suppress dissenting voices. The invasion of SERAP’s office is the latest in a series of attacks on human rights defenders and organisations in Nigeria.
Also, former Kaduna Central Senator, ShehuSani, has condemned the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s (SERAP) Abuja office by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sani expressed concern over the invasion, stressing that security agencies must respect the fundamental rights of the organisation, its officials, and its members as guaranteed by the constitution.
In a post on his official X, formerly Twitter, handle, Sani wrote, “The reported invasion of the SERAP office is concerning. Security agencies must respect the fundamental rights of the organisation, its officials, and its members as guaranteed by the constitution of the country.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The organisation accused President Bola Tinubu of going too far in his government’s repressive efforts to gag dissenting voices.
In a statement, Amnesty International said, “The government of President Bola Tinubu should immediately instruct the DSS to stop their harassment and intimidation of SERAP and any other civil society groups in Nigeria simply for carrying out their legitimate work.”
The organisation called on the Nigerian authorities to end their escalating crackdown on civic space and independent human rights groups in the country, including through harassment, intimidation, and threats. The organisation expressed concern that the invasion of SERAP’s office sends a chilling signal and prevents human rights organisations from carrying out their essential work to promote and protect human rights and accountability in the country.
AI urged the Nigerian authorities to uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations, including with respect to the rights to freedom of expression and association, and to end the growing impunity for violations of human rights in the country.
The organisation also called on Nigeria’s international and regional partners to press the authorities to uphold the human rights of those who defend the rights of others, journalists, and civil society groups in the country.
In the same vein, Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow, OmoyeleSowore, has condemned the arrest of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja
Sowore described President Bola Tinubu as a “General of Fascism” who will soon meet his downfall.
In a statement, Sowore said, “The new DSS Director General TosinAjayi has resumed work for his ‘Uncle Bola,’ as his operatives stormed SERAP’s office in Abuja and demanded to see their directors. The agency also arrested and detained NLC President Joe Ajaero on his way to the UK. Fascism of @officialABAT must be stopped NOW! #revolutionnow.”
Sowore expressed concerns over the DSS’s “Gestapo-like” assault on SERAP’s office and the arrest of Ajaero, calling for an end to the clampdown on civil societies and labour unions.
He urged Nigerians to rise up against the government’s repressive actions and demanded the immediate release of Ajaero and an end to the harassment of SERAP and other civil society groups.
“The so-called ‘General of Fascism’ Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would soon meet his waterloo. He will quickly, very soon, become the Jagaban of Disgrace!” Sowore said.
