This action occurred shortly after the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The DSS personnel reportedly demanded to see the directors of SERAP, which they described as an “unlawful occupation.”

The situation escalated when SERAP publicly condemned the DSS’s actions, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and protect citizens’ rights. They characterized the invasion as an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing dissent against government policies.

The timing of this siege is significant; it followed SERAP’s open letter to President Tinubu demanding a reversal of a recent increase in fuel prices, which they argued was unconstitutional.

According to reports from SERAP staff, two DSS officers arrived at their office around 11 am and specifically requested to speak with Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director. When Oluwadare was not present, they sought other directors but ultimately left without making any arrests. However, there were concerns that DSS operatives might still be monitoring the area.

This incident has raised alarms within human rights circles in Nigeria. Organizations like Amnesty International have criticized these actions as part of a broader trend under President Tinubu’s administration to suppress dissenting voices and limit civic freedoms.

About SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) was created in 2004 and registered as a non-governmental, non-profit organization under Nigerian laws.

Recognising the unexplored potential of international human rights law for increasing transparency, accountability and protection of economic and social rights in Nigeria, SERAP was created to promote these principles and values. The organization aims to use human rights law to encourage the government and others to address developmental and human rights challenges such as corruption, poverty, inequality and discrimination.

For several years, it has worked to hold the government to account through the framework of human rights and anti-corruption laws and standards, and has continued to offer free legal advice and services for victims of corruption and economic and social rights.