DSS warns against uttering divisive statements

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned against unsavoury and inciting statements concerning the country.

The DSS noted that some misguided Nigerians had continued to threaten the government; sovereignty; and corporate existence of the country.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, gave the warning in a statement on Sunday, May 2, in Abuja.

He said notable among the utterances were the unnecessary vituperations; and activities of some religious and past political leaders.

Afunanya noted that this group of people had either called for a forceful change of government or mass action against it.

According to him, it has been established that the main objective for these is to cause a disintegration of the country.

“It is unfortunate that those in the forefront of this are respectable individuals who should be patriotic; and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the nation.

“The Service has also noted their desperation; and penchant to collaborate with external forces and influences against Nigeria.

“They are reminded that even though democracy offers free speech; it does not give room to reckless pronouncements capable of undermining security.

“It is instructive to note that the ballot box remains the vehicle of change in a democracy,” he said.

Referring to them as self-centred individuals and groups, Afunanya called on them to stop engaging in acts inimical to the peace and sovereignty of the nation.

He urged influential personalities to be sensitive to the emerging situations; and guard against divisive; and inciting utterances that would cause a breakdown of law and order.

The PRO said the DSS had recently, invited and cautioned some persons who, he noted, denied their earlier statements or said they were quoted out of context.

He called on the public to be wary of such individuals who incite them in the open; but turn in the secret to retrieve their words after causing damage.

He said the DSS would no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups; whose agenda was to throw the country into anarchy and also to serve the interests of their sponsors.