Sacked DSS reportedly arrested, detained by SARS personnel

A combined team of the Police and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have reportedly arrested and detained the sacked Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.

Sacked Director-General of Department of State Service, DSS, Mr Lawal Daura Reports say Daura was arrested just shortly after he was sacked by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for “breaching national security.”

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, had, earlier on, directed the immediate termination of the appointment of Daura with immediate effect following the invasion of the National Assembly chambers by masked men of the DSS.

A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, in Abuja, Tuesday, stated that Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.

Osinbajo had condemned the invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives from the Department of State Services, DSS and the Police without authorization from the presidency. Osinbajo had said in the statement,

“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

“According to him, the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

“By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the appointment of Mr. Matthew Seiyefa as the Acting Director General of the Department of State Services.

This was sequel to the summary sacking of erstwhile DG, Lawal Daura, who was dismissed on Tuesday in the aftermath of the siege on the National Assembly by security operatives acting on his instruction.

Here is a brief profile of the Acting DG of DSS, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa:

• Seiyefa hails from Bayelsa State.
• Before his new appointment, he was the most senior director in the DSS, being an Assistant DG.
• He was also the Director, Institute of Security Studies, Abuja.
• With about 34 years of experience, Seiyefa has served in different capacities, including the State Director in Osun, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos.
• Seiyefa is also a member of the National Institute.