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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as an encouraging shift towards more professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, and issued on Monday, August 31, 2026, HURIWA said national security and human rights protection should not be viewed as competing objectives, but as complementary pillars of constitutional democracy.
The organisation particularly welcomed the reported review of longstanding DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back several decades, arguing that outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.
HURIWA cited the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as an example of why security classifications should be periodically reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant, accurate and legally justified.
The rights group also commended the reported compensation of individuals affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.
According to HURIWA, acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures can strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
The association further welcomed reported reviews that had resulted in the release of persons whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.
HURIWA stressed that intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process, even while recognising the critical role of the DSS in combating terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other threats to national security.
It maintained that security enforcement must remain anchored on legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.
HURIWA’s Reform Recommendations
To consolidate the reported reform direction, HURIWA urged the DSS leadership to institutionalise a number of measures designed to strengthen human rights protection and professional standards within the service.
The organisation called for the establishment or strengthening of a dedicated human-rights and professional-standards mechanism capable of monitoring compliance, investigating complaints and recommending corrective measures.
It also recommended mandatory human-rights impact assessments before sensitive operations involving arrests, searches, surveillance and restrictions on citizens’ movement.
HURIWA urged the DSS to institute periodic reviews of detention cases to ensure that detainees whose continued detention is no longer necessary for investigations are either released or lawfully prosecuted without unnecessary delay.
It further advocated an institutionalised and transparent redress mechanism for citizens who suffer proven wrongful detention, mistaken identity or other operational violations.
The group called for stronger engagement between the DSS and institutions and professional bodies including the National Human Rights Commission, legal practitioners and credible civil society organisations.
It also urged the service to make continuous training on constitutional rights, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Anti-Torture Act, lawful detention procedures and international human-rights standards compulsory for its operatives.
HURIWA recommended the establishment of accessible and accountable citizen complaint channels across DSS commands nationwide, alongside improved professional engagement with journalists and mechanisms for resolving disputes through dialogue and lawful processes.
The association also advocated greater emphasis on preventive, rights-based intelligence, including early warning systems, community engagement, intelligence sharing and crime prevention, as a means of reducing unnecessary arrests and confrontation.
It proposed that the DSS consider publishing an appropriately redacted annual Human Rights and Professional Standards Report detailing complaints received, detention reviews, disciplinary actions, redress measures and rights-related training.
Secrecy Must Not Shield Abuse
HURIWA acknowledged that intelligence operations necessarily require a significant degree of confidentiality, but cautioned that secrecy should not become a shield against accountability.
“A modern intelligence service can protect classified information while respecting citizens’ constitutional rights,” the association maintained.
HURIWA said Nigeria could build a security architecture that is simultaneously firm against threats and respectful of citizens’ rights.
According to the group, respect for human rights is itself a national-security asset because citizens are more likely to cooperate with institutions they trust.
The association therefore urged Ajayi to consolidate the reform direction by making accountability, proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations.
“Nigeria needs a DSS that criminals fear, citizens trust and the Constitution can defend,” HURIWA declared.
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