The Department of State Services, DSS, Monday, described as false and wicked fake news being widely circulation in the social media claiming that a humongous sum of N21 billion, 400 assorted weapons and permanent voter cards, PVCs, were recovered from the homes of its sacked Director-General, Lawal Daura.
Spokesman of DSS, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, in a statement released in Abuja, made it clear that neither the agency nor any other security outfit in the country had carried out any recovery either in the homes or residence of the deposed DG.
Opuiyo described the video as the handiwork of dishonest elements bent on creating tension and breach of the peace in the country and tarnishing the image of the DSS.
The agency said, “The attention of the Department of State Services, DSS, has been drawn to the circulation of fake information and videos in which several items were said to have been recovered from the Katsina and Abuja homes of its immediate past Director-General, Lawal Daura.
“These non-existent items include N21 billion cash; 400 assorted and sophisticated small arms and light weapons/rifles; and thousands of Permanent Voters Card, PVC, belonging to Niger Republic immigrants.
“In another video also in circulation, some persons believed to be personnel of a security outfit were seen forcing open safes stocked with money. The security operatives were described as executing a recovery operation at the Katsina home of the former DG.
“Consequently, the Service wishes to inform the public that these videos are false and should be disregarded. So far, no such recovery operations have been undertaken by the EFCC or any other security agency at DSS’ office or residences of the former DG.
“There is no doubt that different interests have continued to give varied accounts of the incident of last week at the National Assembly. It may, however, be recalled that the Presidency had pledged to carry out a detailed investigation regarding the alleged National Assembly siege.
“The public is, therefore, advised to exercise restraint in their narration of events and as such, desist from spreading fake news or engaging in activities that may mislead or further cause a breach of the peace as well as preempt the outcome of investigations.
It will be recalled that apparently acting on the warped information and video currently trending in the social media, the opposition party, PDP, had asked the Presidency and the APC to respond to the development if it their hands were clean.
The PDP said it was necessary for the ruling party to explain how the deposed DSS DG who worked closely with President Muhammadu Buhari came about the huge sum, weapons and the PVCs and what he wanted to do with them.
