The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally demanded a retraction from Khalid Aminu, an engineer and #EndBadGovernance protester, over allegations that he was brutalized and tortured while in their custody. Aminu, who was among several others arrested during the August protests in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria, made the claims during a television interview after his release.
Aminu recounted his ordeal, alleging that DSS officers subjected him to severe beatings with boots, sticks, and armored cables upon his arrest and during his detention. He described the experience as inhuman and detailed the injuries he sustained while speaking on Channels Television.
In a letter dated November 25, 2024, the DSS, through its lawyer, Mohammed Sani Ndanusa, SAN, denied the allegations, labeling them a deliberate misrepresentation of facts meant to tarnish the agency’s reputation. The letter, titled “Re: Allegation of Torture By Department of State Security Officials While Undertaking Custody in Kaduna,” described Aminu’s statements as damaging to the DSS’s professional image and credibility.
The letter accused Aminu of causing undue embarrassment to the DSS both domestically and internationally. It demanded that he retract his statements and publish apologies in three widely circulated newspapers. The letter warned that failure to comply would result in legal action against him.
Contradicting Aminu’s account, other protesters detained alongside him in the same Kaduna DSS facility have denied any instances of torture. In a recent interview, they stated they were not mistreated during their time in custody, casting doubt on Aminu’s claims.
The dispute adds to the controversies surrounding the treatment of protesters during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, drawing attention to the need for transparency and accountability in addressing such allegations.
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