DSS siege of CISLAC office in Abuja raises criticism.

CDD Condemns the Invasion and Attacks on Nigerian Civic Space

...Not good for our Democracy - ActionAid




ActionAid Nigeria has reacted to alleged siege, intimidation of CISLAC by DSS operatives in Abuja during public holiday. 

According to ActionAid Nigeria, Country Director Ene Obi, " it is quite unfortunate to hear of the alleged invasion of The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) office by the DSS during the public holiday. 


She says civil society, have the mandate to seek accountability and defend human rights regardless of who wields the power. 

According to her, in a country where the constitution guarantees human rights and freedom of expression,ActionAid have continued to experience in recent times the flagrant abuse of power and the  consistent attempt by the government to gag human rights defenders in the country, noting that it is sad that such 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 organizations 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", Obi said.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD has described as unfortunate the invasion of the Abuja office of CISLAC by the officials of the Department of State Security, DSS.

In a statement signed by its Director, Idayat Hassan, CDD said such official intimidation of lawful civil society organisations' guaranteed protection by the country's constitution would not be tolerated.

The Centre has further called for an end to the intimidation of Civil Societies in Nigeria. 

According to Hassan, if the DSS has questions for CISLAC, they should have invited the group for questioning instead of recourse to brute force.

CISLAC is a leading civil society organisation operating in Nigeria for fifteen years. We, therefore, call on the DSS to investigate and clarify her position immediately, Hassan insisted.


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