NIGERIA: Ekiti lawmaker Is Alive, Not Dead – DSS debunk death rumour

Hon. Akanni Afolabi at the DSS office

Contrary to the claims by the Ekiti State government that its lawmaker, Afolabi Akanni had died in the custody of the Department of State Services, the DSS has produced him alive.

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The state’s Commissioner for Information, Lanre Ogunsuyi, in a statement issued on Thursday had called on the DSS “to immediately clarify the situation as to the status (dead or alive) of Hon Afolabi Akanni, representing Efon Constituency by producing him physically for all Nigerians, particularly his immediate family to see.”.

Reacting to the claim, the DSS said the lawmaker was hale and hearty.

In a statement issued on Thursday and obtained by DAILY POST, the DSS Spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, called on residents of the state to go about their normal business, insisting that Akanni was doing well in their custody.

According to the statement, “You may have been aware of the recent situation in Ekiti State in which the DSS was accused of abducting the State’s Assembly Legislators.

“The fact is that one of the members of the Assembly, Hon. Akanni AFOLABI was duly invited by the Service over some serious breaches bordering on State security and for which he has some explanations to make.

“These breaches fall under the purview of the DSS to investigate.

“This Press Conference has become necessary in order to debunk a rumour which is being dangerously spread in Ekiti State by some mischief makers to the effect that Hon. AFOLABI has died in custody. Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that AFOLABI is hale and hearty as he is being presented to the Press today.

“The DSS will, therefore, warn all those who have planned to make a meat out of this to desist from it and stir clear from trouble as the Service will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against any one or persons that may engage in violent actions of any kind.

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“In a similar vein, all law abiding Ekiti residents should go about their normal businesses as the Service assures them of full protection by security agencies.”