DSS DG Bans Operatives From Arresting People Over Civil Matters

DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi directs operatives to avoid arrests in civil disputes and pursue judicial remedies instead.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has directed operatives of the agency not to arrest anyone over matters that are purely civil.

Ajayi disclosed this during a media interview on Thursday, saying the directive was part of reforms aimed at strengthening respect for the rule of law and improving the DSS’s human rights record.

The DSS chief said reforms introduced since he assumed office had focused on five broad areas: law enforcement, inter-agency synergy, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative improvements to enhance operational efficiency.

He explained that the reforms had helped the agency establish a clearer distinction between civil disputes and criminal offences, acknowledging that the DSS had previously sometimes conflated the two.

Ajayi stressed that coercive powers should not be used to settle civil disagreements, noting that even some criminal matters may not require force.

He cited the case involving political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, over allegations linked to an attempt to establish a “shadow government.” Ajayi said the DSS chose to seek judicial interpretation rather than arrest Utomi.

According to him, the court subsequently ruled that the alleged initiative was unconstitutional, illegal and a threat to national security.

The DSS director-general also referenced a dispute involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, which had accused two DSS operatives of invading its premises.

Ajayi said SERAP approached the court with the agency’s approval and that no one was arrested during the process. He added that the court eventually awarded more than N100 million in damages in favour of SERAP.

The DSS chief said the same principle would apply to other civil disputes, including matters involving journalists.

He said the agency would prefer judicial intervention where necessary rather than using arrest powers in disputes that do not amount to criminal offences.

Ajayi described journalists as the DSS’s “professional colleagues,” explaining that both institutions have information-related responsibilities, although journalists inform the public while the DSS provides intelligence to government.

He said government-bound intelligence remains classified until the agency officially declassifies it.

The directive reflects the DSS leadership’s stated effort to strengthen accountability, professionalism and respect for human rights while ensuring that coercive powers are used only where legally justified.

Ajayi’s position could influence how disputes involving individuals, organisations and media practitioners are handled, particularly where no clear criminal offence has been established.

By directing operatives to pursue judicial remedies in civil cases, the DSS leadership is signalling greater reliance on due process and legal mechanisms rather than coercive enforcement.