Lukman Abdulmalik
The Kano State Chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of intimidating its members and carrying out a siege on its campaign offices in the state.
The State Party Chairman, Umar Haruna Doguwa who made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday said “the offices of the Directors of Support Groups and Director of Youth Mobilization were cordoned off by men of the DSS.”
“We wish to state categorically that our party will never be intimidated, the DSS must not cheapen itself and be misused.
“We are horrified to note that the men of the DSS were brazenly bringing weapons from their vehicles and putting them in the offices of our directors.
“This was done in the presence of our campaign staff, who also recorded the incident on video. We have pictures and video evidence of this flagrant setup”.
Doguwa however narrated that “laying siege on our offices and threatening the safety and security of our campaign Directors and campaign staff will not be accepted.”
The Party Chairman further said: “With this unfortunate incident, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the international community, and all credible election observers to beam their searchlight on senior security personnel operating in Kano to checkmate the evil plan against 2023 General in the State”.
The allegation by the NNPP, a leading opposition party in the state, came just a few days after the party accused the police leadership in the state of working with the state government to harass and arrest its members.
The DSS said it uncovered lethal weapons, including pump rifles, matches, and clogs, inside the building during a route search.
Reacting, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya explained that operatives are guided by the standard rule of engagement and would not intimidate or harass members of any political party.
“It is not out of place to conduct a search in any place as we did at a building along Airport Road in Nasarawa Local Government of Kano. And items uncovered include 12 pump action guns, matches, clogs, and other dangerous weapons.
“And if any political party claims ownership of that building, then, I don’t know what that means. So far, the DSS is making sure all political parties are given equal-level fields to carry out their lawful businesses devoid of intimidation and harassment. We are making sure a peaceful atmosphere is provided for free and credible elections.”
