DSS Dismisses Online Publication; Says It’s Malicious

By Gideon Njoku

The Department of State Services, DSS, has dismissed a claim by one Adio Oluwole Bashir, who in a write-up, said he has resigned from the Service over the murder of a Sound Engineer, David  Imoh, as a non-existing character.

The ghost writer, the DSS said, is not only a pathological liar, but does not even have a clue to the operations of the Service.

Bashir in a write-up that cast doubts on his identity, claimed that he led the team that arrested suspects involved in the gruesome murder, in Lekki, Lagos, of a  Imoh, on May 12, 2022, but was shocked  that the suspects he and his team arrested, who were Hausa people, were replaced with Christians. He, therefore, he claimed, decided to quit the Service when he was transferred to Borno State, thereafter.

In a statement on Monday, May 23, signed on its behalf by Dr Peter Afunanya, its Spokesperson, the DSS said among other things that besides not being a serving or a retired staff on its pay roll, “his writing style and use of of paraphernalia gave him out as fake and an impostor.”

His aim, the Service said “is to ignite an ethno-religious conflict. His co-conspirators are elements of separatist groups who are desirous of achieving the same objective as well as pitting security agencies against one another.”

Hereunder is the full text of the statement issued by the DSS.

DSS DISMISSES MALICIOUS ONLINE PUBLICATION

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby dismisses a false online publication authored by one Adio Oluwole Bashir who purported to be a former staff of the Service. Bashir claimed to have led the team that arrested suspected killers of David Imoh, a sound engineer allegedly murdered on 12th May, 2022 at Lekki, Lagos State. He further alleged that the suspects who were of Hausa origin were exchanged with Christians.

“2. Consequently, the Service states that Bashir is neither a serving nor retired staff on its roll. Besides, his writing style and use of paraphernalia gave him out as fake and an impostor. Findings have, however, revealed that his aim is to ignite an ethno-religious conflict. His co-conspirators are elements of separatist groups who are desirous of achieving the same objective as well as pitting security agencies against one another.

“3. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has issued an unambiguous statement on the entire episode. The Command’s clarification should guide public understanding of what actually transpired. Dragging the DSS which never participated in the operation at Lekki into his skewed account exposes the lies and intentions of Adio Oluwole Bashir and his cohorts.

“4. The DSS wishes to state that the write-up is completely false and frowns at the calculated effort to use its name for malicious purposes. It therefore requests the public to disregard the misleading narrative.

“The Service also warns those bent on throwing the country into violence to retrace their steps and give peace a chance.

“While it reaffirms its commitment to continue to work with sister agencies to ensure lasting peace in the country, it will also not hesitate to bring to book those determined to break the law.”