Thursday, July 16, 2026

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

The group said corrupt individuals were using compromised law enforcement agencies to harass CSOs.

• January 1, 2022
Auwal Rafsanjani/Yusuf Bichi
Auwal Rafsanjani/Yusuf Bichi

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.

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