The Department of State Services has begun an investigation into allegations of begging by its personnel attached to the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The probe followed the allegation by an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi that some DSS operatives deployed to airport for vetting the people coming into the country abandoned their assigned responsibility to beg for money.
He said on his facebook page that people are not being delayed at the airport for “security questioning, but with abeg bless your boy” and called on the director general of the secret police to call his officers to order.
“It is actually an embarrassment to the entire Nation to have DSS officers vetting people coming into the country at the Lagos Airport begging for money.
“One can forgive immigration and custom officers because this is simply customary, but that a very important agency like the DSS is shocking.
“This is a wakeup call to DG DSS.
“The entire world is moving on from petty irresponsibility, people are not being delayed for security questioning, but with abeg bless your boy,” he wrote.
Responding, spokesman for the agency, Mr. Peter Afunanya said the DSS had begun investigation into the matter as well as invited Olajengbesi and member of the public with evidence to come forward so that appropriate action could be taken.
“The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to the allegation by one Pelumi Olajengbesi that the Service’s personnel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, engage in unprofessional conduct of sorts.
“Consequently, the Service has launched a full investigation into the matter. It further invites Olajengbesi and indeed any member of the public with evidence in this regard to come forward to the Service with such for appropriate action(s),” Afunanya said.
