The ActionAid Nigeria has condemned the recent intimidation, harassment and invasion of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Abuja, by operatives of the Department of State Services.
The ActionAid Nigeria, in a press statement signed by the Country Director, Ene Obi, and made available to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, decried the invasion.
According to the Country Director, “It is quite unfortunate to hear of the alleged invasion of The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre office by the DSS during the public holiday.
“As civil society, we have the mandate to seek accountability and defend human rights regardless of who wields the power.
”In a country where the constitution guarantees human rights and freedom of expression, what we have continued to experience in recent times is the flagrant abuse of power and the consistent attempt by the government to gag human rights defenders in the country; it is sad that this act is now extended to institutions.
”Injustice to one is injustice to all. Since the inception of democratic governance in Nigeria, the county has never witnessed this level of gross violations of the rights of the citizens, human rights defenders and organisations as we have seen in recent times.
”We demand an explanation. We ask the federal government to investigate what has transpired and tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians on behalf of its overzealous officers.
“We are monitoring this case closely as it bothers on the shrinking civic space in Nigeria which should be a matter of urgent concern to all citizens, local and international stakeholders alike.”
