In an unusual development, the Department of State Services (DSS) has sent a letter to Khalid Aminu, a protester involved in the August #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, requesting a retraction of his recent statements claiming he was abused while in the agency’s custody.Aminu, an engineer, was one of many individuals detained during the protests in Kano and other northern regions. Following his release, he appeared on a Channels Television program, where he accused DSS officials of torturing him.“What I experienced was inhumane, and I can hardly articulate everything,” Aminu said. “On August 3, we were arrested at NEPA Roundabout.
They began physically assaulting us there—kicking and beating us—before forcing us into their vehicles and taking us to their Command. Upon arrival, I was immediately struck with a heavy cane, resembling an armored cable. They continued to beat me with various implements, causing significant pain,” Aminu recounted.However, in a letter dated November 25, 2024, the DSS, through their attorney, Mohammed Sani Ndanusa, SAN, alleged that Aminu’s assertions were false and intended to damage the agency’s reputation.
The letter, titled “Re: Allegation of Torture By Department of State Security Officials While Undertaking Custody in Kaduna,” stated that Aminu’s claims not only misrepresented the events but were also a calculated effort to tarnish the agency’s image.
The lawyer further pointed out, “You must agree that your statements have caused our client considerable embarrassment, both nationally and internationally,” and urged Aminu to retract his claims and publish this retraction in three major newspapers. He warned that failure to comply could lead to legal action against Aminu.Aminu’s allegations of torture have come under scrutiny, as other protesters detained with him in the same DSS facility in Kaduna have reported that they did not experience any mistreatment during their custody.
