No cash, Weapon found in former DSS Boss custody

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied claims that huge sums of money and weapons were recovered from the house of its immediate past Director-General, Mr Lawal Daura.

DSS Public Relations Officer, Mr Tony Opuiyo, who said this in a statement on Monday, said contrary to the reports, no security agency has carried out any search operation on Mr Daura’s house.

He dismissed viral videos showing cash and other items purportedly recovered from the residence of the former DSS boss.

The videos showed men allegedly from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and some agencies carting away a huge sum of money, as well as sophisticated small arms and light rifles and thousands of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) belonging to some immigrants.

“The Service wishes to inform the public that these videos are false and should be disregarded. So far, no such recovery operations have been undertaken by the EFCC or any other security agency at DSS’ office or residences of the former DG,” Mr Opuiyo said.

According to him, the videos are the machination of some mischief-makers who were bent on destabilising the nation.

“There is no doubt that different interests have continued to give varied accounts of the incident of last week at the National Assembly.  It may, however, be recalled that the Presidency had pledged to carry out a detailed investigation regarding the alleged National Assembly siege,” the DSS spokesman said.

“The public is, therefore, advised to exercise restraint in their narration of events and as such, desist from spreading fake news or engaging in activities that may mislead or further cause a breach of the peace as well as preempt the outcome of investigations.”

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo sacked Mr Daura on Tuesday last week after security operatives barricaded the National Assembly in Abuja.

While the blockade sparked mixed reactions across the country, Mr Mathew Seiyefa consequently took over as the Acting Director-General of DSS.