The President stated that any disputes between the two major government agencies would be resolved amicably.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to vacate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Ikoyi, Lagos, forthwith.
DSS agents invaded the EFCC office in Ikoyi, preventing employees from entering their workplace. Additionally, gunfire was audible in the vicinity.
In a statement released by his media aide Tunde Rahman, Tinubu demanded that the DSS vacate the premises.
The brief statement read, “The President stated that any disputes between the two important government agencies would be resolved amicably.”
The DSS had invaded the premises and claimed proprietorship of the structure.
“It is incorrect for the DSS to have prevented the EFCC from accessing its office. No. “This is false,” the DSS stated in a statement. “The Service only occupies its own facilities when carrying out its official and statutory duties.”
According to Channels Television, the DSS officials arrived in Lagos on Monday and parked on the road leading to the anti-corruption agency’s office.
As they believed that the DSS agents’ presence was for the purpose of maintaining peace, the agency’s employees worked without incident.
The DSS personnel moved into the premises after the EFCC staff had left for the day and then prevented them from regaining access the next day (Tuesday) when they resumed work.
However, the DSS denied rumors of a dispute between the two agencies.
“There is no competition between the Service and the EFCC in any regard. Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the organization, requested that no fictitious ones be created.
They are excellent collaborators laboring for the nation’s benefit. Reject any false claims of a conflict.”
In response to this development, the EFCC characterized it as peculiar, noting that both agencies have cohabited the facility for twenty years.
“By denying operatives access to their offices, operations at the Commission’s largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted,” said EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwajuren.
The agency stated that all of these have broader implications for the nation’s struggle against economic and financial offenses.
“The siege is inconsistent with the expected synergy of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter.”
