" Onumah was never arrested by the Service" - DDS

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday denied reports that it arrested a journalist and activist, Dr Chido Onumah in Abuja airport. The bureau, in a statement signed on Monday by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunaya, argued that Mr Onumah was only engaged in an interaction during which an act of his capable of undermining public order and national security was explained to him.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to make clarifications regarding media reports that Dr Chido Onumah was arrested by the Service. To set the records right, Onumah was never arrested by the Service. “He was rather engaged in an interaction during which an act of his capable of undermining public order and national security was explained to him. “On his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 29th September 2019, it was discovered that Onumah wore a T-shirt with WE ARE ALL BIAFRANS inscription on it. With credible intelligence that he might be a subject of mob attack if allowed to go into town in the same cloth, the Service invited him and drew his attention to the implications of his probable (un)intended action,” the statement read in part.

According to the DSS, an attack on Onumah based on the inscription on his T-shirt would have sparked ethno-religious reprisals with dire consequences for law and order and public safety in the country. “He understood the issues and pledged not to engage in activities that may cause disaffection in Abuja and the country at large. He subsequently removed the cloth with the inciting symbols and inscriptions and agreed not to use it,” the statement added.