Major showdown looms in security sector as DSS, EFCC face off

macfranc007 November 05, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Akinyemi Akinrujomu

- The EFCC sent a request to the secret police for release of some DSS officials in the course of its investigations

- The DSS turned down the request which involved allowing its officials to be questioned

- An unnamed DSS source said the EFCC was only looking for mischief with the invitation

The Nigerian Tribune is reporting that a major showdown is looming among Nigeria’s top security outfits, the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the report, the showdown is as a result of a move by EFCC to interrogate some officials of the secret police in unnamed investigation.

The EFCC has already sent a request for the release of the affected DSS officials but the authorities of the DSS turned it down, thereby causing tension between the two government agencies.

Tribune quoted an unnamed source as claiming that the invitation was an attempt to rubbish the secret police which is not answerable to the anti-graft Commission.

The source said: “What are they (EFCC) trying to do, audit our operations or what? Did the service report any financial infraction to them and call for their intervention? It is just a case of overzealousness and lack of professionalism and we won’t allow that, because what you allow is what will continue.

“If they [EFCC] need any clarification on anything, they should come to our office. They know where we are. We can’t be humiliated by anybody. Never! If this is a fallout from the security report officially requested by the National Assembly, then we wish them luck. We stand by our findings. If someone is not fit and proper to hold an office, we can’t season any filth. It’s as simple as that. We never went outside of our mandate.”

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren could not immediately confirm the matter to Tribune as he needed to check with the authorities to confirm the said invitation sent to the DSS officials.

Just recently, the DSS was alleged to have paid the sum of N152 million into the bank account of Abdulrasheed Maina.

NAIJ.com had reported that Maina, who was the chairman of the presidential task force on pension reform, is allegedly on the run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of N2 billion fraud.

According to an investigative report by Premium Times, the SSS and the Nigeria Police Force provided security for Maina to abscond from the country.

The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - NAIJ.com TV