of one of its official by the police on allegation of kidnapping is false.
In a Press statement sent to Pointblanknews.com, the Cross River State
Director of DSS said a DSS officer, Eyo Bassey Eyo, who was arrested by
the police, was involved in an illegal duty of debt recovery and not
kidnapping.
The Statement said while the DSS officer was framed up for kidnapping,
appropriate disciplinary measure would be meted on the erring officer
whose official duty has nothing to do with debt recovery.
The Statement reads:
The attention of the Cross River State Command of Department of State
Services (DSS) has been drawn to the alleged arrest of one of its
personnel, Eyo Bassey EYO and his subsequent parade by the Anti-Cultism
and Kidnapping Squad of the Nigeria Police in Calabar, Cross River State
over suspected kidnap.
The Command wishes to state that this is a misrepresentation of what
happened. The fact is that EYO had accompanied three (3) of his friends
namely Eyo EDET, Sylvia JAMES and Jason UDO to assist them recover a debt
from Robert BASSEY.
Investigation has revealed that BASSEY had fleeced the trio of EDET, JAMES
and UDO of a certain sum of money with a promise to help them secure
admission at the University of Calabar.
But when BASSEY could not fulfil his obligation, they demanded a refund
of the money which he had defaulted severally.
The story was brought to the attention of EYO who advised that the matter
be reported to the Police. His advice however fell on deaf ears and
unknown to him, his friends took him along to the home of BASSEY who
connived with his brothers and invited the Police claiming that they were
being kidnapped.
On arrival, the Police apprehended the alleged kidnappers and EYO who was
in the company of the trio. Meanwhile, appropriate disciplinary action
will be taken against Eyo for engaging in debt recovery. This is termed an
illegal operation as it runs contrary to the Service’s rules for conduct
of its personnel.
It became imperative that this explanation is made in order to put things
in their right perspective. The Service maintains robust relationship
with other sister agencies and will further assist the police in its
investigations.
State Director of Security
Department of State Services,
Cross River State Command
Calabar
23rd March, 2019. pls. Share and use for publication.