Spokesperson
Spokesperson
Boko Haram: Mailafiya Apologised Profusely in DSS
Office- Spokesperson
On 27th July, 2020, the Department of State Services (DSS)
alerted the nation about desperate efforts by some notable
personalities to use their exalted positions; take advantage of
developments in the country and cause a total breakdown of law and
order.
It also revealed that part of the orchestrations was to engage
in divisive acts as well as use inciting statements to pit one
group against another.
With latest occurrences in the country, Nigerians may have no
reason to doubt the Service’s earlier pronouncement. Dr. Obadiah
Mailafiya’s recent outburst aimed at playing to the gallery and
creating unnecessary tension is a confirmation of his group’s
desperation to breach the peace.
Mailafiya, as a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) and currently, a Directing Staff at Nigeria’s
foremost Policy Research Institute, the National Institute for
Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has unhindered access
to government platforms. It is expected that he should be
conversant with official information management protocols.
But regrettably, he chose to cross the lines of decorum and
conduct expected of a personality of his status. It is
disappointing that he never took advantage of these to reach any of
the security or related agencies to share the so called information
at his disposal.
This, he has agreed to be a grievous error on his part. It,
however, suggests his mischief and determination to use the fake
news he spewed to incite the people under his control.
It is even more condemnable that Mailafiya, who had profusely
apologized during his visit to the Service’s Plateau State Command
for his ignoble statement, would, afterwards, announce to the world
that he stood by his misguided eruption.
Similarly, the Service also wishes to warn others, who in the
guise of political mobilization and supposed pursuit of group
interests, engage in hostile and subversive activities, to desist
forthwith from advancing their inimical and parochial causes.
The Service will not stand idly and watch disgruntled and
aggrieved elements take laws into their hands and cause mayhem in
the polity.
In line with its mandate of detecting and preventing threats and
crimes against the internal security of Nigeria, the Service hereby
reiterates its previous warning that it will henceforth not condone
unruly conducts of persons and groups that ought to know
better.
In this regard, it will not hesitate to, within the confines of
the law, decisively deal with such persons and/or groups, no matter
how highly placed, that may wish to test its resolve. It will,
nonetheless, continue to support participatory democracy in the
country and therefore urges all players to abide by the rules of
the game.
On the other hand, the Service implores law abiding citizens to
go about their normal businesses without fear. It assures them of
protection and pledges to strengthen existing measures designed to
achieve this objective.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja
14th August, 2020