Are Nigerian Security Agencies Only for the Rich?

It is really sad that despite the level of insecurity in the country, the Department State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) still have the time for trivial matters instead of concentrating their efforts on how to provide intelligence and arrest those who have vowed to torment Nigerians.

While the DSS has invited Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson of Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, over an alleged story against the son of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the police are currently prosecuting one Chioma Egodi over a mere online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.

In Rasheed’s case, he was invited by the DSS for allegedly sponsoring fake news against Femi, son of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. 

An Abuja-based blogger reportedly published a news report, claiming that Femi is extorting Directors of the Ministry of Marine. 

For a case that should at best be regarded as civil matter, being libel, the blogger was swiftly arrested by operatives of DSS. The blogger reportedly alleged that Rasheed sponsored the report. 

But Rasheed, in a swift statement, denied giving any report to an online publisher on Oyetola’s son, noting that he will meet investigators this weekend. 

The governor’s spokesman also filed an originating summons for the enforcement of his rights before a Federal High Court, Osogbo, against DSS and Femi Oyetola.  

Adeleke’s spokesman, in the suit number FHC/OS/C5/89/2024, sought for three reliefs including restraining order on DSS from inviting, arresting or detaining him.

In Egodi’s case, the police are alleging that her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste violates the Cybercrime Act of 2015. 

Many had expected the management of the company to issue a statement debunking the claim Egodi made on her Facebook post on September 17, 2023, instead of involving the police through a petition to the Inspector General of Police.  

She was promptly arrested in Lagos and flown to Abuja where she was detained.

Many are shocked that the DSS and the police could deploy enormous energy to tackle civil matters where they demonstrate force and power against unarmed civilians while violent criminals are abducting Nigerians for ransom, and killing soldiers, police and other security agents.

By their actions, the police and the DSS are embarrassing the country by portraying themselves as agencies established to protect only the rich and the powerful.