DSS denies tapping and leaking opposition’s phone conversations to APC

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied an allegation that it has been tapping telephone conversations between members of the opposition in the country and leaking them to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) first national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, had in a statement on Wednesday accused the DSS of tapping conversations, which were mainly the opposition’s strategies for the forthcoming general elections, and revealing them to leaders of APC.

“We wish to express our shock and disappointment with the All Progressives Congress and unscrupulous security agencies who we discovered are tapping our leaders’ calls and leaking our electoral strategies.

“The opposition has uncovered the constant tapping of our calls and location marking by the APC, using the DSS. We are utterly disgusted at this shameless act. This administration has proved that nothing is sacred to them anymore,” Ugochinyere said.

He then urged members of the opposition to abandon telephone conversations and adopt physical meetings or the Whatsapp platform.

But the DSS in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Peter Afunanya, later on Wednesday denied the allegation. He said debate on the issue was unnecessary and that the agency was not in the habit of tapping private telephone conversations.

“The social media is awash with wrong information of sorts, regarding the agency whose operations and activities are highly misunderstood and misrepresented.

READ ALSO: ‘Rise up to defend our democracy’, National Peace Committee urges Nigerians

“It is obvious that some merchants of violence are determined to use their platforms to misinform the public for their selfish and political ends. In this regard, the service warns that those bent on entrenching this mischief should be aware of the consequences of their misleading actions.

“The DSS is a responsible organisation and thus, professionally adheres to the ideals of intelligence and security governance expected of it in a democracy. The public is, therefore, urged to disregard the claims of the political group,” Afunanya said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now