The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has directed operatives of the agency to refrain from arresting individuals in civil matters.
Ajayi disclosed this in a media interview on Thursday, explaining that the directive was part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening adherence to the rule of law and improving the agency’s human rights record.
He noted that since assuming office, he had introduced reforms across five broad areas: law enforcement, inter-agency synergy, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative improvements to boost operational efficiency.
According to him, the reforms have helped the DSS draw a clearer distinction between civil and criminal matters. “You cannot apply the use of force in civil matters. Even some criminal matters don’t require force,” Ajayi said.
Citing examples, he recalled the case involving political economist Prof. Pat Utomi, where the DSS sought judicial interpretation rather than arrest over allegations of attempting to establish a “shadow government.” He also mentioned a case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), where the court awarded over ₦100m in damages after DSS operatives were accused of invading its premises.
Ajayi stressed that the agency now resorts to the courts in civil disputes, including cases involving journalists, describing them as “professional colleagues.” He added: “I have told my people that there should be no arrest in any civil case.”
The DSS boss reaffirmed his commitment to reforms that uphold accountability and respect for human rights, while ensuring the agency’s operations remain within the bounds of the law.
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