HURIWA commends DSS DG Ajayi for professionalism, intelligence-led reforms
By: Zagazola Makama
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as an encouraging shift toward professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.
The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the association welcomed reported reforms within the intelligence agency.
HURIWA particularly welcomed the reported review of old DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back several decades.
The association said outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.
It cited the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as an example of the importance of periodically reviewing security classifications.
The group also commended the reported compensation of persons affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.
According to HURIWA, acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures could strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
The association also welcomed reported reviews that had led to the release of persons whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.
“Intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process,” HURIWA said.
While recognising the critical role of the DSS in combating terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other security threats, the organisation stressed that security enforcement must remain anchored on legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.
HURIWA urged the DSS leadership to institutionalise reforms that would strengthen mechanisms for monitoring human rights compliance, investigating complaints and recommending corrective measures.
It recommended human rights impact assessments, periodic reviews of detention cases, redress and compensation mechanisms, as well as stronger engagement with civil society organisations.
The association further called for continuous human rights training for DSS operatives, accessible citizen complaint channels, responsible engagement with the media and preventive, rights-based intelligence gathering.
It said such measures could improve intelligence sharing and crime prevention while reducing unnecessary arrests and confrontations between security personnel and citizens.
“We therefore commend Mr. Ajayi for the reform direction and urge him to consolidate the gains by making accountability, proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations,” HURIWA said.
