The Disgraceful Clash Between EFCC and DSS over the Arrest of the Erstwhile DG, DSS.

On Monday this week, I taught 25 Colonels and their equivalent in the two other arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces the concepts of defence policy, national security and military strategy. These are the Fellows of the prestigious National Defence College. In the course of the lecture, the Operation Neptune Spear that killed Osama bin Laden was discussed. We stressed the importance of the inter-agency co-operation that led to the death of Osama.
Without co-operation and harmony among the security agencies, national security is imperil led. This is a fundamental challenge in the Nigerian Security community. This came the fore when the DSS aborted the EFCC's attempt to arrest the immediate past DG of the DSS, Ita Ekpepeyoung two days ago. Armed with search and arrest warrant, the EFCC stormed the residence of Ekpepeyoung but in a show of shame, the DSS prevented his arrest!
Three vivid points emerge from this ugly incident. One, there are an inter-agency rivalry and antagonisms between these two agencies. Within this sad and ridiculous conjuncture, how could these two organisations of the state work in concert to promote national security and the fight against corruption! This is really tragic!
Two, it's self evident there is no co-ordination of efforts and supervisory apparatus that mediates in the activities of these agencies.
Three, the DSS has demonstrated vividly to the whole world to see that it is a lawless institution. What is so special by Ekpepeyoung that he could not be arrested by a lawful state agency like the EFCC! Why do these installations behave in this disgraceful manner? They do so because they know that the Presidency will do nothing and the whole incident will soon be forgotten. Maina, a fugitive and a suspect that is running away from justice was promoted and reinstated in the Ministry of Interior. The Head of Service said she warned the President of the consequences of this criminality, yet the Presidency allowed this to pass! Things are really happening under the Buhari government!

Prof david oluwatoba alabi (NDA)