The State Security Service (SSS, also called DSS) has confirmed that the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State was attacked however denied that its operatives carried out the assault.
The company mentioned its operatives foiled the assault and secured the candidate, Manir Dan’iya.
In an X put up on 31 October, the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned “simultaneous attacks” on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and the Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya.
The presidential candidate mentioned “a local security outfit in Sokoto State has been harassing ADC supporters, manhandling citizens simply for wearing ADC merchandise.”
He demanded “immediate and transparent investigations into both attacks.”
The presidential candidate didn’t point out SSS in his put up. However, in an announcement on Tuesday, the company denied an allegation attributed to Atiku that its operatives organised protests in Sokoto State. It just isn’t instantly clear the place the presidential candidate made that allegation.
In the assertion signed by an SSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, the key police mentioned the allegation was inconsistent with its operations to guard politicians throughout get together traces.
Referencing the assault on the Sokoto ADC gubernatorial candidate, the SSS mentioned its operatives “deployed” to the politician, “evacuated him to safety unhurt” throughout an assault on 31 October.
It mentioned two SSS officers have been injured within the course of and have been nonetheless being handled in hospital.
The company mentioned Mr Daniya personally known as the Sokoto State director of the SSS to precise appreciation for the intervention and requested extra safety reinforcement.
However, the SSS spokesperson mentioned the company’s director-general, Oluwatosin Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into Mr Atiku’s “allegation.”
“Though these operations to protect all political parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman,” the SSS said.
SSS cites earlier safety of opposition candidates
The company additionally cited the arrest and prosecution of a person accused of threatening to assault Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to the SSS, it arrested Udeme Steven in Rivers State on 2 March over the alleged menace towards Mr Obi.
The company mentioned Mr Steven was prosecuted on the Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to 2 years in jail.
The SSS mentioned the case demonstrated its dedication to defending political candidates no matter their get together affiliation.
SSS awaits police investigation into Sowore’s allegation
The company additionally referenced the same allegation by Mr Sowore, who mentioned SSS officers have been possible concerned in an assault on him and his group in Ekiti State.
The SSS mentioned it welcomed the police investigation into the incident, which it mentioned had produced a preliminary report figuring out an “altercation” because the trigger.
READ ALSO: Atiku accuses SSS of plot to disrupt Sokoto campaign launch
It added that the police have arrested 11 suspects and that it was awaiting the end result of the investigation.
“We await the outcome of the police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter,” the SSS mentioned, including it could proceed to function accountably beneath its present director-general.
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