Personnel of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday stormed the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a post shared by the civic group on Monday morning.
However, the group said the DSS officials kept asking for its directors, indicating that they came to arrest them.
SERAP, a leading human rights organization, has been vocal in its criticism of the Nigerian government’s human rights record and has filed several lawsuits against the government on behalf of victims of human rights abuses.
The reason for the attempted arrest of the SERAP directors is not yet clear, but it is believed to be related to the organization’s recent activities, including its advocacy for accountability and transparency in government.
The group wrote: “BREAKING: Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors.
“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians.”
On Monday morning, the DSS arrested the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero.
It was learned the labour leader was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while planning to leave for the UK.