DSS disrupted hundreds of exhibits, suspects during ‘shocking’ siege – EFCC opens up

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened up on the early Tuesday morning raid carried out by suspected operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on its office in Lagos.

The anti-graft agency disclosed that many exhibits were disrupted in the hours-long siege, just as it further said many detained suspects were affected  as a result of the surprise siege by the security agents.

It would be recalled that suspected operatives of the DSS stormed the Lagos office of the EFCC and prevented officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi, Lagos, while they occupied the complex for undisclosed purposes.

A source disclosed that the DSS operatives stormed the office building and placed an armoured personnel carrier in front of the complex to prevent EFCC staff from accessing their offices.

While the DSS has yet to confirm or deny involvement in the raid, the EFFC has, however, stated that it lost vital evidences, even as suspects in detention were affected during the raid.

DSS operatives stormed the office around 7:00 am on Tuesday, and refused to leave despite dialogue between operatives of both agencies.

Reacting to the incident, EFCC in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, described the siege as shocking, saying it has wilder implications on Nigeria’s fight against economic and financial crimes.

“The operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.

“This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.

“By denying operatives access to their offices, the Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.

“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended.

“Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates.

“All of these have wilder implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes.

“The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter,” the statement read.

Yusuf Magaji Bichi is the Director-General of DSS, while Abdulrasheed Bawa is the Chairman of EFCC.

Clashes between both agencies are not new, as they have a history friction in their operations in the country.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the DSS to vacate the premises of the EFCC office in Lagos, as he told both agencies that issues in contention between ‘would be resolved amicably.’

The President directive was contained in a statement issued by Tunde Rahman, Tuesday.

“The President gave the directive when reports that DSS officials stormed the EFCC office located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, preventing officials of the anti-graft agency from accessing their work place, was brought to his attention.

“The President said if there were issues between the two important agencies of government, they would be resolved amicably.”

Both agencies, according to reports, have been in loggerheads over ownership of the building.