Three officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly have issued apologies to the Department of State Services (DSS) following their arrest for allegedly assaulting DSS operatives during the recent leadership crisis at the legislative house.
The altercation occurred on February 17, 2025, when the DSS arrived at the Assembly complex after being invited to enhance security amid the turmoil. In a letter dated February 14, 2025, signed by the acting Clerk of the House, Babatunde Ottun, the Assembly requested security reinforcement “from February 15 till further notice.” The invitation letter, referenced as LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, emphasized the need for protection at the facility.
However, tensions escalated when some Assembly workers, including three officials, clashed with DSS personnel upon their arrival. Relying on CCTV footage of the incident, the DSS apprehended the workers and filed assault charges against them.
The apologetic letters, dated March 28, 2025, were individually addressed to the DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, and routed through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command. Public Affairs Officer Ibrahim Olarenwaju and two officers with the Sergeant-at-Arms, Adetola Oluwatosin and Adetu Adekunle, expressed remorse for their actions.
One of the letters, written by Olarenwaju, stated, “I hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or omission that I might have caused your distinguished office (the DSS) and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on February 17, 2025.”
The trio promised to maintain good conduct and pledged to avoid any future acts that could undermine the integrity of DSS personnel.
In February, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, also expressed regret over the incident and apologized to both the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force, describing the attack as unfortunate.
The DSS has yet to make a public statement regarding the apologies.
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