Head of Nigeria’s SSS says victims of wrongful operations will receive compensation
Director-General of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) Oluwatosin Ajayi said the agency has changed its approach to civil disputes, compensation for victims of wrongful operations, and interaction with the media. He said this in an interview with Premium Times Nigeria.
According to Ajayi, the service’s reforms cover five areas: law enforcement, cooperation with other agencies and foreign partners, accountability, respect for human rights, as well as administrative and infrastructure changes. He also announced a zero-tolerance policy toward unethical conduct by employees.
Civil cases and media
The head of the SSS claims that he ordered that no arrests be made in civil cases and that such disputes be resolved through the courts. As examples, he cited cases involving Pat Utomi, the SERAP organization, and Sahara Reporters owner Omoyele Sowore.
Ajayi stated that if information about the SSS which the service considers inaccurate is published, the agency first demands a correction or retraction. According to him, after reports of an alleged incursion by service employees into the Lagos State House of Assembly, media outlets were asked to withdraw their materials within seven days. He said that no further action was taken after this demand was met.
He also said that when the service needs to question a journalist, it contacts professional associations, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the International Press Institute.
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Payments and compensation
According to Ajayi, the SSS has reviewed old cases involving wrongful actions by employees and is compensating for damage without waiting for lawsuits. He said that the total amount of such compensation, by his estimate, exceeds 300 million naira.
In particular, he spoke about a man from the city of Jos who, according to him, was mistakenly wounded by gunfire in 2016. A court then awarded him 10 million naira in compensation, which was not paid. After taking office, Ajayi ordered the case to be reviewed: the man was provided treatment and an additional 10 million naira was approved to restore his livelihood.
The head of the SSS also said that a businesswoman from Abuja who was mistakenly detained during an operation against suspects in illegal oil transactions was paid 10 million naira. He also mentioned the Ifedi couple, who were detained before his appointment: according to Ajayi, after their non-involvement in terrorism was established, he ordered the couple’s release and compensation for the professor.
Separately, Ajayi reported a case in Cross River State where the phones of four female students were damaged during the pursuit of a kidnapper. According to him, he ordered the devices to be replaced, but the students asked only for them to be repaired. He also approved scholarships for them.
