In what can be described as the continued display of state capture by the Bola Tinubu led Federal Government, operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have taken over the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The action by the DSS is taking place after SERAP urged Tinubu and his administration to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the seemingly illegal and unconstitutional hike in petrol prices.

SERAP further urged the Tinubu led Federal Government to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC.

The SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare described the action as an act of harassment and intimidation and an infringement on the rights of the member of the organization called on the Presidency to call the DSS back to order.

“We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS). The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”

“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.”

“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.”

“President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.”

Human Rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana condemned the act and asked President Tinubu to fish out the officers involved in the act and call them to order.

“We condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must urgently fish out the officers who carried out the invasion of SERAP’s office in the name of the government. Anyone found to be responsible for the invasion must be prosecuted.”

“The government must allow human rights defenders to freely carry out their work, consistent with the Nigerian Constitution.”