Human rights attorney Hamza Dantani is challenging Nigeria’s major security services to implement a policy similar to that of the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding the financial redress of citizens harmed by wrongful detention or official misconduct. In a formal statement, Dantani lauded DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi for establishing this precedent, which he views as a vital move toward institutional transparency.
Dantani argues that while state agencies are mandated to maintain order, they carry an ethical burden to address grievances when they violate individual rights. He emphasized that security efforts and the preservation of human rights must coexist to sustain public confidence. By acknowledging past errors and compensating victims, the DSS has improved its relationship with the public.
The lawyer called upon the Police, the Army, the EFCC, the NSCDC, and the NDLEA to formalize their own reparation frameworks. He urged these organizations to shift away from using detention as a default tool, suggesting that they instead prioritize high-quality intelligence and comprehensive investigations to avoid harming innocent people.
