The Department of State Service (DSS) has debunked allegation by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that its operative at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja obstructed airport security process, and attacked an aviation security officer.
Peter Afunanya, spokesperson of the DSS in a statement denied that any of its staff fought or engaged in any physical brawl that will jeopardize public safety at the Abuja airport.
Africannewstoday had earlier reported the tweets of FAAN posted on its official Twitter handle where it claimed that Mr Safiyanu Abba, Head of Department of State Service at the Abuja airport obstructed airport security process, and attacked an aviation security personnel.
Afunanya added the DSS in keeping with its mandate recognised the airports as a national asset and remained committed to protecting and defending them.
The statement read, “The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to the official release by FAAN that the DSS Head of Formation assaulted its staff at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“FAAN also accused him of breaching security protocol at the airport. So far, it has not been established that any FAAN staff was assaulted.
“DSS personnel are well mannered and could not have slapped or fought a worker of another agency. The news, as reported by sections of the media, has left an impression that is not factual and should, therefore, be disregarded.
“For the record, no DSS staff fought or engaged in any acts prejudicial to discipline or inimical to public safety at the airport under reference.
“In line with its statutory duties, the Service recognises the Airports as one of the country’s most valuable assets and has remained at the forefront of protecting them and other critical ones. It takes its security seriously and cannot breach it.
“As a strategic partner, the Service holds FAAN and its staff in good esteem. Both agencies have, over time, enjoyed a robust working relationship in the areas of training and exchange programmes.
“For these reasons, the DSS will not join issues with it. It is believed that there are other avenues than the social media to resolve any misunderstanding among the staff of two agencies that have had a long history of the unity of purpose in the execution of their mandates.”
Source: Sahara Reporters