Ex-DSS Operative Denni Amachree on Abacha's Brutal Regime

Denni Amachree, a retired Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), characterized the regime of former military head of state Sani Abacha as one of extreme authoritarianism and brutal repression. In his memoir, "DSS: 40 Journeys Behind the Shield," Amachree details the widespread human rights violations that occurred during Abacha's five-and-a-half-year rule, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

He claims that the number of political detainees during Abacha's administration exceeded the total for the entire British colonial era. Amachree also recalls significant events, such as Abacha's reception of Yasser Arafat's emissary and Pope John Paul II's appeal for the release of political detainees.

He disputes various conspiracy theories surrounding Abacha's sudden death, which occurred nearly three decades ago, and emphasizes the need to preserve an accurate account of the security profession during that time.