DSS DG Moves to End Arrests Over Civil Disputes

Adeola Ajayi, director general (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), has directed operatives of the agency not to arrest anyone over civil matters.

Ajayi gave the directive during an interview with selected media executives on Thursday, saying it was part of measures to strengthen adherence to the rule of law and improve the agency’s human rights record.

The DG DSS said since assuming office, he had introduced reforms across five broad areas, including law enforcement, inter-agency synergy, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency.

According to him, the reforms had also created a clearer distinction between civil and criminal matters within the agency, noting that his career experience showed that the DSS had previously conflated the two.

He said the use of force is inappropriate in civil disputes.

“You cannot apply the use of force in civil matters. Even some criminal matters don’t require force,” Ajayi said.

He cited the case involving Pat Utomi, a political economist, over allegations relating to an attempt to establish a “shadow government”.

“Rather than arrest him, we sought judicial interpretation,” the DG DSS said.

“And the court ruled that his adventure was unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to national security.”

He also referred to a case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), saying the organisation approached the court over allegations that two DSS operatives invaded its premises.

He said the matter was pursued in court without any arrest, adding that the court eventually awarded more than N100 million in favour of the operatives.

The judgement, delivered in May 2026, awarded N100 million in damages to two DSS officials over alleged defamation, although SERAP has since appealed the decision.

Ajayi said the DSS now resorts to the courts in civil matters, adding that he had instructed operatives that there should be no arrest in any civil case.

He said the agency would also approach the courts in cases involving journalists because “we do the same job.”

Ajayi described journalists as “professional colleagues” of the DSS, noting that the difference is that journalists inform the public while the DSS informs the government.