Mailafia changed his statement – DSS claims
The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Obadiah Mailafia of changing his words after been interrogated by its operatives.
The DSS in a statement on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya claimed that Malafia had apologized profusely for his comments about Boko Haram when he honoured an invitation at the Service’s Plateau State Command.
He added that they were however surprised when he again announced that he was standing by his word shortly after he was released.
Naija News recalls Mailafia had on Monday, during an interview session with a radio station claimed that a Northern Governor is the commander of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
This prompted the DSS to invite him to their office where he was grilled on Wednesday for about 6 hours about his claims.
After he was released, Mailafia declared that he stands by his word on the leadership of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria and is ready to lay down his life for the country if necessary.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS) in a counter statement on Friday said the former presidential candidate is playing to the gallery and desperate to breach peace in the country.
The statement reads: “On 27th July, 2020, the Department of State Services (DSS) alerted the nation about desperate efforts by some notable personalities to use their exalted positions; take advantage of developments in the country and cause a total breakdown of law and order. It also revealed that part of the orchestrations was to engage in divisive acts as well as use inciting statements to pit one group against another.
“With latest occurrences in the country, Nigerians may have no reason to doubt the Service’s earlier pronouncement. Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya’s recent outburst aimed at playing to the gallery and creating unnecessary tension is a confirmation of his group’s desperation to breach the peace.
“Mailafiya, as a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and currently, a Directing Staff at Nigeria’s foremost Policy Research Institute, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has unhindered access to government platforms. It is expected that he should be conversant with official information management protocols.
“But regrettably, he chose to cross the lines of decorum and conduct expected of a personality of his status.
“It is disappointing that he never took advantage of these to reach any of the security or related agencies to share the so called information at his disposal.
” This, he has agreed to be a grievous error on his part. It, however, suggests his mischief and determination to use the fake news he spewed to incite the people under his control.
“It is even more condemnable that Mailafiya, who had profusely apologized during his visit to the Service’s Plateau State Command for his ignoble statement, would, afterwards, announce to the world that he stood by his misguided eruption.”
The DSS statement, however, cautioned that it won’t stand idle and watch any individual or group threaten the internal security of Nigeria.
“Similarly, the Service also wishes to warn others, who in the guise of political mobilization and supposed pursuit of group interests, engage in hostile and subversive activities, to desist forthwith from advancing their inimical and parochial causes.
“The Service will not stand idly and watch disgruntled and aggrieved elements take laws into their hands and cause mayhem in the polity.
“In line with its mandate of detecting and preventing threats and crimes against the internal security of Nigeria, the Service hereby reiterates its previous warning that it will henceforth not condone unruly conducts of persons and groups that ought to know better.”