The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) commends the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it describes as an encouraging shift towards more professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.
HURIWA affirms that national security and human rights protection are not competing objectives but complementary pillars of constitutional democracy.
The association welcomes the reported review of old DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back decades, noting that outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.
HURIWA cites the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving International Press Centre Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as an example of the importance of periodically reviewing security classifications.
The association also commends the reported compensation of persons affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.
HURIWA maintains that acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures can strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
It equally welcomes reported reviews leading to the release of persons whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.
The association stresses that intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process.
While recognising the DSS’s critical role in combating terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other threats, HURIWA maintains that security enforcement must remain anchored on legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.
HURIWA’S RECOMMENDATIONS
HURIWA urges the DSS leadership to institutionalise these reforms through the following measures:
Human Rights and Professional Standards: Establish or strengthen a dedicated mechanism to monitor rights compliance, investigate complaints and recommend corrective action.
Human Rights Impact Assessments: Require rights assessments before sensitive operations involving arrests, searches, surveillance and restrictions on citizens’ movement.
Periodic Detention Reviews: Ensure every detainee’s case is regularly reviewed and that persons no longer required for investigation are released or lawfully prosecuted without unnecessary delay.
Redress and Compensation: Institutionalise a transparent mechanism for compensating citizens who suffer proven wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational violations.
Stronger Civil Society Engagement: Deepen structured engagement with the National Human Rights Commission, lawyers, credible civil society organisations and professional bodies.
Continuous Rights Training: Make regular training on constitutional rights, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Anti-Torture Act, lawful detention and international human-rights standards compulsory for operatives.
Citizen Complaint Channels: Establish accessible and accountable complaint mechanisms across DSS commands nationwide.
Responsible Media Engagement: Strengthen professional engagement with journalists and resolve disputes through dialogue and lawful processes.
Preventive, Rights-Based Intelligence: Give greater emphasis to early warning, community engagement, intelligence sharing and crime prevention to reduce unnecessary arrests and confrontation.
Annual Accountability Report: Publish an appropriately redacted annual Human Rights and Professional Standards Report covering complaints, detention reviews, disciplinary actions, redress and training.
HURIWA recognises that intelligence operations require confidentiality. However, secrecy must not become a shield against accountability.
A modern intelligence service can protect classified information while respecting citizens’ constitutional rights.
OUR POSITION
HURIWA believes Nigeria can build a security architecture that is tough on threats and respectful of citizens’ rights.
Respect for human rights is itself a national-security asset because citizens are more willing to cooperate with institutions they trust.
We therefore commend Mr. Ajayi for the reform direction and urge him to consolidate the gains 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.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). Monday, August 31st 2026.
