DSS Thrēætens Legal Action Over Protester’s T0rture Claims
The DSS has spoken firmly to allegations of t0rture made by Khalid Aminu, a former detainee and engineer, who took part in the August #EndBadGovernance pr0tests. Aminu was among many pr0testers who were arrested in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria during the demonstrations.
DSS Thrēætens Legal Action Over Protester’s T0rture Claims
The DSS has spoken firmly to allegations of t0rture made by Khalid Aminu, a former detainee and engineer, who took part in the August #EndBadGovernance pr0tests. Aminu was among many pr0testers who were arrested in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria during the demonstrations.
After being released, Aminu shared his harrowing experience on a Channels Television programme, describing what he called inhumane treatment by DSS officers. He alleged that upon his arrest at NEPA Roundabout on August 3, officers began bé∆ting him with sticks, boots, and even ærmoured cables. “They started be∆ting me… I was flat down, and they were blæsting me with all forms of sticks and ærmoured cables,” he narrated, adding that he bore physical injur!es from the incident.
The DSS has dismissed these claims, terming them as false and tarnishing to their reputation. Through their lawyer, Mohammed Sani Ndanusa, SAN, they sent Aminu a letter dated November 25, 2024, demanding that he retract his allegations. They asked for the retraction to be published in three widely read newspapers, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action. The DSS expressed that the allegations had caused them significant embarrassment both in Nigeria and internationally.
However, Aminu’s story seems to contradict accounts from other protesters detained alongside him at the same DSS facility in Kaduna. In separate interviews, some of these protesters said they were not subjected to t0rture during their det3ntion.
This event sets the scene for a major legal conflict between Aminu and the DSS. Despite Aminu’s strong stance, the Department of State Services insists on a retraction of the speech. Many people are now asking if the matter will ultimately go to court. The situation has sparked new discussions regarding human rights, responsibility, and detainee treatment in Nigeria, underscoring the persistent challenges of Nigeria as a country striving for justice and equality for its people.
