In a dramatic turn of events, the Department of State Services (DSS) has threatened legal action against a protester, Khalid Aminu, over claims that he was tortured while in their custody.
Aminu, an engineer, made the allegations during a recent interview on Channels Television.
Allegations of Brutality
Aminu was among several people arrested during the August #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria.
He described his ordeal in vivid detail during the televised interview.
“What I went through, what we went through, was inhuman,” Aminu stated.
He recounted being arrested at NEPA Roundabout on August 3 and immediately subjected to violence.
“They started beating us right there. Boots, kicks, and all that,” Aminu said.
He claimed that after being forced into vehicles, the torture continued at the DSS command.
“The first thing I received was a strong cane, like an armoured cable,” he explained.
Aminu also alleged that he was beaten while lying flat on the ground.
“If I pull up my chest, you will see. They were blasting me with sticks, armoured cables, everything you can think of,” he told Channels Television.
DSS Denies Allegations, Demands Retraction
The DSS has strongly denied Aminu’s claims, labeling them as false and defamatory.
In a letter dated November 25, 2024, the DSS, through their lawyer Mohammed Sani Ndanusa, SAN, demanded an immediate retraction.
The letter, titled “Re: Allegation of Torture By Department of State Security Officials While Undertaking Custody in Kaduna,” accused Aminu of deliberately attempting to damage the agency’s reputation.
“You will agree with us that your above representation has caused our client a lot of embarrassment both within and outside Nigeria,” the letter read.
Ndanusa advised Aminu to retract his statements and publish an apology in three widely read newspapers.
Failure to comply, the letter warned, would result in legal action.
Contradictory Accounts from Other Protesters
Interestingly, Aminu’s claims conflict with statements from other protesters detained alongside him.
In interviews conducted in Kaduna, several protesters said they were not tortured while in DSS custody.
These conflicting accounts have raised questions about the accuracy of Aminu’s allegations.
Legal Consequences Looming
The DSS’s threat of legal action is significant, as it underscores the agency’s determination to protect its image.
Legal experts suggest that if the DSS proceeds with its lawsuit, it could set a precedent for how security agencies handle allegations of misconduct.
Mohammed Sani Ndanusa emphasized that the DSS would not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings if Aminu fails to comply with their demands.
Public Reaction and Outcry
Aminu’s allegations have sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
Some have expressed outrage, calling for an independent investigation into the claims.
Others have urged caution, pointing to the conflicting accounts from other detainees.
The #EndBadGovernance protests were marked by widespread arrests and accusations of heavy-handed tactics by security agencies.
Aminu’s story has reignited debates about human rights and accountability in Nigeria.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations have previously accused the DSS of misconduct and abuse of detainees.
Aminu’s allegations add to the growing list of concerns about the agency’s treatment of protesters and activists.
Amnesty International and other rights groups have called for transparency and accountability in handling such cases.
