Mon Sep 09 16:05:13 UTC 2024: ## DSS Invasion of SERAP Office Sparks Outrage, Legal Threats

**Abuja, Nigeria** – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the recent invasion of their Abuja office by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and demanded immediate action from President Bola Tinubu.

In a strongly worded statement, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare accused the DSS of intimidation, harassment, and threats against the organization and its staff. The action followed SERAP’s call for an investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the reversal of the recent fuel price hike.

SERAP warned that failure to address the situation will result in legal action both domestically and internationally. The organization asserted that the DSS’s actions are a “brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country,” citing a broader trend of crackdown on human rights groups and defenders.

“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders,” the statement read, urging President Tinubu to investigate the invasion and bring those responsible to justice.

SERAP also stressed the importance of protecting their freedom to operate, citing the Nigerian Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The statement concluded by emphasizing the crucial role of civil society in safeguarding human rights and holding authorities accountable. “While some may not like to hear some of the things SERAP has said, this in no way justifies the invasion of our office and harassment and intimidation of our staff members,” it stated.

The DSS has yet to publicly comment on the incident.

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