NAUS Visits DSS, decries unlawful arrest of students by Security Agencies

 

NAUS Visits DSS, decries unlawful  arrest of students by Security Agencies

Safiu Kehinde

The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has decried the unlawful arrest of students by security agencies during a courtesy visit by the association’s Campus Monitoring Committee (Lagos Chapter) to the Department of State Service (DSS) on Tuesday.

Led by the Chairman of the Committee, Comr. Ifeoluwa Sonoiki, the delegate raised the issue of incessant apprehension of students by security agencies such as EFCC and the Nigerian Police Force. The security agencies, according to the Vice President of NAUS Southwest, Comr. Oladimeji Adesoji, make arrest of students without warrants by the court and evidence showing that they are guilty of the offence.

According to a Press Statement signed by the Chairman, the DSS’s Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence, Lagos State Command,  Mr. Shehu Shehu, responded to the claim, mentioning that the EFCC has the power to make any arrest.

“He said the anti-graft agency and others can pick people for questioning as arrests are not just made without gathering intelligence, mentioning that the police, DSS, EFCC has powers but the police force is empowered by law to arrest for financial, drug, and other crimes committed by citizens and warrants are not always needed, saying that warrants cannot be needed when a robbery crime has been committed.” The statement read.

Mr. Sheu advised the students to act within the law at all time and must be responsible while assuring them that the agency is committed to the safety of lives.

Meanwhile, the students' association called for an open-door policy that will enable students reach out to the security agency in times of need while also inviting them to an upcoming summit set to be organized by the association.

In reaction, Mr. Sheu disclosed that the agency is operating an open-door policy, citing the quick response of the agency to NAUS’s courtesy visit request as an example while guaranteeing their availability when called upon by the association.

Other dignitaries present at the courtesy visit include NAUS CMC Lagos Vice-Chairman, David Paul Olubode, the committee’s treasurer, Ms. Victory Eloho, Financial Secretary, Comr. Specter Oluwasegun, Director of Special Duties, Tinubu King Ademola, the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media, Comr. Oyelakin Emmanuel,  former NANS General Secretary Zone D (Southwest), Comr. Giwa Temitope, and Comr. White from LASU.