DSS Raises Alarm As Banks Plan To Shutdown Services Nationwide

Department of State Services, DSS has raised alarm over the possibility of some persons to stage violent protest in Nigeria following the decision of banks in the country to join the two days warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC which period coincided with the date the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal fixed to pass judgement on 2023 Presidential election issues brought before it.

DSS said its intelligence intercepted communications that some politicians are mobilising unsuspecting students leaders and other members of the public for planned action.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held an emergency meeting with Security Chiefs with most of his cabinet members in attendance.

It would be recalled that National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, in a statement dated September 2, 2023 and signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed Sheikh, said all banks in the country will be withdrawing their services from Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6, inline with the directive of the National Executive Committee of Nigeria Labour Congress, dated August 31, 2023.

Also, Barrister Umar Bangari, the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal in a statement on Monday announced that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has fixed Wednesday 6, 2023 as judgement day in a case between aggrieved parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following the February 2023 Presidential election which ushered in Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President. Umar said the judgement will be televised live by all interested broadcasting stations.

Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja in a statement late Monday evening, said, the DSS the identified the ring leaders among those planning to destabilise the country.

The DSS statement reads in quotes: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has uncovered plans by some elements in parts of the country to stage violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters.

“Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action. Meanwhile, the Service has identified the ring leaders of the plot  as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy.

“In view of this development, University Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are advised to discourage their students from engaging in acts capable of derailing public peace. Also, parents and guardians are enjoined to admonish their children and wards respectively to shun the lure of participating in inimical behaviours or conducts against law and order. 

“While the DSS is aware of Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps. This is more so that it will not hesitate to legally come against persons and groups behind the devious plans”.