The Department of State Services (DSS) at the weekend released two more persons arrested in the wake of the #Endbadgovernance protests which swept across major cities in the country between August 1 and 10.
Among those released is Kaduna-based activist, Khaleed Aminu, who, according to his friends and associates, had gone missing in DSS custody.
On September 28, African Action Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, claimed that the activist had gone missing in DSS custody.
Taking to his verified “X” handle @YeleSowore, Sowore posted: “Engineer Khalid Aminu @__khalid101 is missing from @OfficialDSSNG custody after he was rearrested in Kaduna and detained during #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protest in August 2024. #FreeKhalidNOW!”
However, according to a top DSS source, Aminu and another detained protester were at the weekend released on the orders of the new Director General, Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The new DG said the source, after a detailed review of the cases of detainees in their facility, ordered the release of Aminu and his friend.
Aminu’s release brings to eight the number of persons released since late August when President Bola Tinubu appointed Ajayi the Director-General of the secret police.
Said the source, “Though not a lawyer, our new DG is a firm believer in Willian Blacksone’s 1769 doctrine that it is better that 10 guilty persons be set free, than for one innocent person to suffer unjustly.
“You know our new DG was the Director in Kogi State, so there was no way he would have known all that happened at the headquarters. That was why he began a case-by-case review of the detainees.
“He was amused, sometimes shocked, at some of the reasons adduced for arresting and detaining some suspects. For instance, he was angry that the two persons released at the weekend were arrested because they reportedly hired DJs for #Endbadgovernance protesters in Kaduna.
“When the new DG challenged us to show him the law that criminalizes the supply of DJs to protesters, we couldn’t. He has warned us that any for of lawlessness won’t be tolerated,” offered the officer.
He stated, “I think we are undergoing a rebirth. Aside from a marked improvement in our working conditions, a lot has changed for good. In the recent past, it wasn’t uncommon to see heaps of untreated files in offices. Our new DG treats all files with dispatch making him spend late hours in the office. This has made our officers conform, leading to increased efficiency in the Service.
“You may have noticed that the October 1 protests took place without much drama. Our new DG took a different approach. That was why you didn’t run after and hunt down protesters like we used to do. I can tell you that this new leadership style appears to be working well for us and for Nigeria,” he explained.
According to the officer, aside #Endbadgovernance protesters, the new DG has set free several other persons he believes were detained for not strong enough reasons.
“Very few know that our new DG is the son of a labour union leader. He grew up seeing his father lead several struggles against oppressive and repressive policies. I think his experience and understanding of how bitter oppression is has helped mould his personality to hate injustice,” he declared.
