Lagos assembly officials beg DSS over assault on its officers

Three officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly, arrested for assaulting Department of State Services (DSS) officers during the recent leadership crisis, have issued formal apologies to the service.

In a letter dated February 14, 2025, and signed by the acting clerk, Babatunde Ottun, the Assembly had invited the DSS to enhance security at the legislative complex.

The letter, referencing LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, requested the DSS to provide security from February 15 and beyond.

However, a confrontation occurred when DSS personnel arrived at the Assembly, leading to a clash with some workers, including the three individuals involved in the assault.

The DSS used CCTV footage to identify and arrest the workers, subsequently charging them with assault.

In separate letters of apology dated March 28, 2025, the three officials — Ibrahim Olarenwaju, a public affairs officer, and two Sergeant-at-Arms officers, Adetola Oluwatosin and Adetu Adekunle — expressed regret for their actions. They addressed the letters to the DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, apologizing for their behavior and promising to maintain better conduct in the future.

“I, Ibrahim Olarenwaju, hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or omission that may have caused your distinguished office (the DSS) and personnel during my duty at the Lagos State House of Assembly on February 17, 2025,” one of the letters read.

The three workers pledged to uphold professional conduct and avoid actions that could undermine DSS personnel in the future.

Earlier in February, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, also issued an apology to both the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force for the assault on their officers. He described the incident as unfortunate.