The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, over reforms aimed at promoting professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights within the agency.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA welcomed the reported review of longstanding DSS watchlists and restrictions, saying outdated intelligence records should not continue to affect citizens’ liberty, dignity and freedom of movement.
The group cited the resolution of the watchlist issue involving the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, as an example of the need for periodic reviews of security classifications.
HURIWA also welcomed reported efforts by the DSS to compensate individuals affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.
According to the association, acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures could strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
It also praised reported reviews that led to the release of individuals whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.
“Intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process,” HURIWA said.
While acknowledging the DSS’s role in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other security threats, the group said security operations must be guided by legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.
HURIWA urged the DSS leadership to institutionalise the reforms by strengthening mechanisms for monitoring human rights compliance, investigating complaints and recommending corrective measures.
It recommended regular human rights impact assessments, periodic reviews of detention cases, appropriate compensation and redress for victims of operational errors, and stronger engagement with civil society organisations.
The association also called for continuous human rights training for DSS operatives, accessible complaint channels for citizens, responsible engagement with the media and greater emphasis on preventive, rights-based intelligence gathering.
“We commend Mr Ajayi for the reform direction and urge him to consolidate the gains by making accountability, proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations,” HURIWA said.
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