The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has praised the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, for ensuring “a pleasantly surprising and deeply encouraging shift” in the agency’s operational philosophy.
HURIWA particularly hailed the secret police for its respect for human rights, compliance with the rule of law, and compensation for victims of wrongful detention under Mr. Ajayi.
HURIWA, which for 18 years, has consistently called for accountability, transparency, and strict adherence to democratic norms by Nigeria’s security services, said it was pleasantly surprised by the proactive reforms being implemented by the new DSS helmsman.
Speaking through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA described the situation as a welcome development.
The organization said it was exciting to see the DSS, long criticised by the human rights community for opacity and high-handedness, now taking meaningful and bold steps to reform its operations and institutional culture.
“It is not every day that the human rights community in Nigeria is compelled to acknowledge progress within a security agency that has historically been associated with arbitrary detention and abuse of power,” Onwubiko said.
“But in this case, we must give credit where it is due. Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi has not only started well — he has already exceeded expectations in some key areas.”
