The Department of State Services (DSS) has admitted invading the home of Oyins Egrenbido, a journalist and business manager with Silverbird Communications in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and assaulting his wife during the raid.
Around 9 p.m. on Thursday, DSS operatives stormed Egrenbido’s residence, forcefully broke through the gate and door, and slapped his wife, who collapsed and was later revived with water.
Egrenbido, accompanied by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Bayelsa State Chairman, Comrade David West, reported the incident to Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Alonyenu. He said the DSS State Director confirmed the invasion, accepted responsibility, and apologised.
“They promised to visit me to assess the damage to my property,” Egrenbido added.
During the same operation, DSS operatives raided several other homes and arrested multiple residents. They later released the detainees on a roadside in Yenagoa around 1 a.m.
Speaking earlier to SaharaReporters, Egrenbido recounted: “The men broke into my home at about 9pm. I’m unsure which division they came from, but they claimed to be policemen. I called the police, but they didn’t arrive. I understand they raided the street and made some arrests, but we’re still unsure which division they came from or if they’re actual police officers. My wife and children were traumatised.”
He condemned the incident, describing the trauma inflicted on his family as inexcusable. He urged security agencies to act swiftly to protect law-abiding citizens.
“Incidents like this destroy public trust and instill fear,” he said, calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. “Nigerians deserve to feel safe in their homes.”
