The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has issued a statement on why it invaded the houses of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, alleging that he planned to commit treasonable felony against the country.
The agency said that it conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo on 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence linking him with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State.
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 was 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, according to the agency, lasted more than ten hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015, stating that if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned the 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 Sambo directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order.
It said that Sambo thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be legitimately searched.
It said that since Sambo retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA.
“Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled. The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items.”
The items, according to DSS, include seven high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.
The team also recovered 12 new vehicles, out of which five were bullet proofs.
These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from Sambo’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 Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt.
“The Service decided to move at this time in line with current management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days.
“The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles recovered were not reflected in Sambo’s handover notes or what could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which put together could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while?”
On the search of his three properties, including the Sokoto residence, the Service said that it was 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.
“Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure members of the public that it would not trample on the freedom of individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency, and probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is the driving force for all DSS operations.
“However, the Service would not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter how highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the laws of the Federation. The days for impunity and indecisiveness in the face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are over.
“The Service hereby appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation.
“In the same vein, those that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful co-existence due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are being warned to rethink.
The DSS said that it will use all constitutional means as defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals.
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