We did not find weapons, cash, PVCs in Daura’s house- DSS

The State Security Service (SSS) has refuted report that huge sums of money and other incriminating materials were found at the homes of its former Director General, Lawal Daura who was sacked last week by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo after hooded DSS operatives blocked the entrance to the National Assembly.

Report and video clips depicting purported incriminating items allegedly recovered from Daura house went viral over the weekend amidst rumour that his house was searched.

But the DSS in a statement made available on Monday by its spokesman, Mr Tony Opuiyo, stated that no such recovery operations had been undertaken by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)or any other security agency at the DSS’ office or residences of Daura.

The statement reads in part, “The attention of the DSS has been drawn to the circulation of fake information and videos in which several items were said to have been recovered from the Katsina and Abuja homes of its immediate past Director General, Lawal Daura.

These non-existent items include: N21billion cash; 400 assorted and sophisticated small arms and light weapons/rifles; and Thousands of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) belonging to Niger Republic immigrants.

“In another video also in circulation, some persons believed to be personnel of a security outfit were seen forcing open safes stocked with money. The security operatives were described as executing a recovery operation at the Katsina home of the former DGSS.

“Consequently, the DSS wishes to inform the public that these videos are false and should be disregarded. So far, no such recovery operations have been undertaken by the EFCC or any other security agency at DSS’ office or residences of the former DG.

“There is no doubt that different interests have continued to give varied accounts of the incident of last week at the National Assembly. It may, however, be recalled that the Presidency had pledged to carry out a detailed investigation regarding the alleged National Assembly siege.

“The public is, therefore, advised to exercise restraint in their narration of events and as such, desist from spreading fake news or engaging in activities that may mislead or further cause a breach of the peace as well as pre-empt the outcome of investigations.