The State Security Service has said a former National Security Adviser,
NSA, Sambo Dasuki planned to commit treasonable felony against the
Nigerian State, reason his homes in Abuja and Sokoto were thoroughly
searched.
Tony Opuiyo, an official of the State Security Service, said it recovered
sophisticated arms and ammunitions, military related gears and 12 new
vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars from Mr. Dasuki’s home.
The statement said:
“On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence
linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col rtd) with
alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State,
operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search on
the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col
rtd).
The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadiya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson
Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa
Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
“The search operations were planned to be simultaneously conducted, but
Dasuki, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at
No. 13 John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a
genuine and duly signed search warrant.
“Consequently, what was to last not more than two hours, lasted more than
10 hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for
the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned
this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the
new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. Buratai (Maj Gen), there would have
been a clash between the army operatives guarding the house and Service
operatives, as Sambo directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any
movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order. SAMBO
thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his
aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was
about to be legitimately searched.
“Please, recall that Sambo retired from the Army as a Colonel, and is
therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was
NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal
as NSA since he would not have been entitled.
“The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among
which were some incriminating items. These include seven high caliber
rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related
gears.
“The team also recovered 12 new vehicles, out of which five were bullet
proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from
Sambo’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For
instance, what could he be doing with five bullet proof cars as a retired
NSA? These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax
payers’ money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.
“The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation
is not a witch hunt. The Service decided to move at this time in line with
current Management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with
penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the
dark days.
“The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles recovered
were not reflected in Sambo’s handover notes or what could a former NSA be
doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which put together
could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while.
“On the search of his three properties, including the Sokoto residence,
the Service is aware that in his capacity and given his antecedents, he
might decide to use any of his residences for such diabolical plans,
rather than his main residence.
“The Service Management would want to assure members of the public that it
would not trample on the freedom of individuals or groups as guaranteed by
the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized by the current administration’s
position on transparency, and probity underlined by justice and equity for
all Nigerians.
“This is the driving force for all DSS operations. However, the Service
would not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter
how highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the
laws of the Federation. The days of impunity and indecisiveness in the
face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are
over.
“The Service hereby appeals to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner
with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation. In the same vein, those
that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful co-existence
due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary
hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are being warned to
rethink. The DSS will use all constitutional means as defined by its
mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals.”