HEDA criticises SSS siege of CISLAC’s office, says CSOs not intimidated

Anti-corruption organisation, HEDA, says civil society organisations will not be intimidated by constant harassment by security operatives, but will continue to fight corruption in the country.
“We in the civic space would never be intimidated nor retreat from our mandates,” says the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.
The group was speaking in reaction to the invasion of the office of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) in search of the organisation Executive Director, Auwal Musa.
HEDA’s chairman Olanrewaju Suraju, in the statement on Saturday condemned the unwarranted invasion and target on CSOs fighting corruption in the country.
He expressed displeasure that the invaders were yet to be identified, and urged the federal government to order the investigation into the identity of those who invaded CISLAC’s office.
“We urge every government agencies especially those in the security sector to be wary of Persons or group of Persons who are only good at impersonating them (Security agencies) to perpetuate evil in the country.
“This is imperative now following the attempt to use compromised law enforcement agencies to harass civil society practitioners by those accused of corrupt practices and decline in the image of Nigeria, hence the need for government to redeem and boost its corporate standing from abyss,” the statement read.
“We must be reminded that no sane country would think or act in any way geared towards silencing Civil Society organizations or other like-minded fellows,” Mr Suraju added.
“It’s expected that we support individuals and corporates to restore moral sanity in our society for the betterment of every Nigerian,” he added.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

World
ECDC warns drug-resistant gonorrhoea spreading across Europe
ECDC said that gonorrhoea remains one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases globally.

Heading 3
NCDC reaffirms commitment to preventing Ebola outbreak
Mr Idris said Nigeria currently had no confirmed Ebola cases.

States
Troops foil bandit attack in Kano, recover 97 cattle, 50 sheep
“Recovered cattle have been returned to their rightful owners,” he said.

Economy
Tinubu approves two road projects in Anambra
The projects are the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, both approved for dualisation.

Economy
FAAN set to introduce facial ID screening at airports
The agency said the system will enable passengers to verify their identities digitally, reducing reliance on physical identification documents at airports.






