DSS Directs Operatives to Halt Arrests in Civil Matters

On September 3, 2023, Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), announced a new directive instructing agency operatives to cease making arrests in civil matters, asserting that force is inappropriate in such disputes. This directive is part of Ajayi's broader reform agenda aimed at enhancing the agency's adherence to the rule of law and improving its human rights record.

Since assuming office, Ajayi has focused on reforms in law enforcement, inter-agency collaboration, accountability, human rights, and administrative efficiency. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between civil and criminal matters, a distinction he believes the agency has historically struggled to maintain.

Ajayi cited the case of a political economist accused of attempting to form a "shadow government" as an example of the new approach, where the matter was taken to court instead of resulting in detention. He also referenced a case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), where the agency opted for legal proceedings rather than arrests, resulting in SERAP being awarded over N100 million in damages.