THE Department of State Services (DSS) has released two female journalists with Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, who were wrongfully arrested by its operatives during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State on Saturday.
The Service also tendered an official apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the incident, describing it as “regrettable and unacceptable.”
The journalists; Miss Ruth Marcus and Miss Keshia Jang were reportedly covering activities related to the President’s condolence visit for the burial of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, when they were apprehended by DSS operatives near the event venue.
A security source told News Point Nigeria that the arrest was a case of mistaken identity, adding that the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, was “deeply displeased” when informed of the development and ordered the journalists’ immediate release.
According to the source, Ajayi not only directed that the two reporters be freed without delay but also instructed that a formal apology be extended to the NUJ and the affected media outlet.
“The DG was clear that such overzealous actions have no place in the new DSS he is building. He contacted the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, personally to express his apologies and assure him of the Service’s commitment to press freedom and professionalism,” the source disclosed.
The source further revealed that the DSS leadership had launched an internal investigation into the circumstances leading to the journalists’ arrest and vowed to sanction any personnel found responsible for the misconduct.
“The Director has ordered a thorough probe into the matter. He assured that any officer found culpable will be appropriately disciplined to serve as a deterrent,” the source added.
The DSS, under Ajayi’s leadership, has reportedly taken steps to correct past excesses and strengthen accountability mechanisms within the Service.
The source explained that the new DG has emphasized respect for human rights, rule of law, and professional conduct in intelligence and security operations.
“The DG is a firm believer in democracy and civil liberties. Since assuming office, he has been working to correct inherited issues of operational overreach.
“This is not the first time he has publicly admitted errors in some cases, the Service has even compensated victims of wrongful arrests,” the source said.
He also recalled that the DSS, under Ajayi, had previously apologised to TVC Communications over the alleged harassment of one of its correspondents, a gesture that earned the Service commendation from media advocacy groups.
The release of Marcus and Jang comes amid growing calls from press unions, media advocates, and civil society organisations urging security agencies to exercise greater restraint and respect the rights of journalists in the discharge of their lawful duties.
Reacting to the development, NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya lauded the prompt intervention of the DSS Director-General, describing it as “a welcome show of leadership, accountability, and respect for democratic values.”
“We appreciate the DSS for acting swiftly to correct what could have been an ugly situation. Journalists must never be seen as adversaries of the state, they are partners in the democratic process,” Yahaya said.