Dasuki, a national threat, says DSS

The Department for State Services has justified the invasion of the residences of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) explaining that it had “credible intelligence linking Dasuki with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State.”

The agency in a statement on Saturday night signed by a Tony Opuiyo accused Dasuki of felony, corruption, misuse of power and possession of destructive weapons, adding, that weapons recovered from his residence were capable of disrupting the peace of any city in Nigeria.

The DSS said it recovered seven high calibre rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines, military related gears and 12 new vehicles which included five bullet proof cars from Dasuki’s home.

According to Opuiyo, the ex-NSA was not forthcoming with the truth in his account of what transpired in his house.

Opuiyo said, “DSS conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA. The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

“The search operations were planned to be simultaneously conducted, but Dasuki refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than two hours, lasted more than 10 hours, up till the early hours of July 17.

Read also: Ex-NSA, Dasuki under siege

“If not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Buratai (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and service operatives, as Dasuki directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order.”

Opuiyo further said Dasuki thereafter raised the alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid.

The DSS also accused Dasuki of using military guards despite his removal as NSA.

Opuiyo stated, “He retired from the Army as a colonel, and therefore, not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact that he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled.

“Twelve exotic vehicles were retrieved from Dasuki’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five bullet proof cars as a retired NSA? These cars, which from all available evidence, were purchased with tax payers’ money were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.”

The security agency added that the search operation was not a witch hunt but that it decided to move in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting the nation back to the dark days.

It further said the lethal arms and vehicles recovered were not reflected in Dasuki’s handover notes.

“On the search of his three properties, including the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his capacity and given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his residences for such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence,” Opuiyo added.

The service vowed that it would use all constitutional means to deal decisively with those that are bent on breaking the rules governing Nigeria’s peaceful co-existence due to either the huge ill-gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary hold they think they have on the nation’s survival.

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Meanwhile Dasuki, might have concluded arrangements to sue the SSS and the Federal Government for alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

A source close to the former NSA said that Dasuki would take legal actions against the DSS for the violation of his rights to freedom of movement and the damage done to his public image.

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