Arrest of Christian leader over false herdsmen attack untrue – DSS

By Adeola Atanda

The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked the rumour that it arrested a Christian evangelist identified as Evangelist Ukpo, who had raised a false alarm of an attack by some herdsmen in Agboda, Nasarawa State.  Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications for the DSS, stated that the Facebook post announcing the fake arrest was a misleading one and that it is capable of inflaming public tension.

Dozie said the post is “incorrect and appears intended to cast the Service in bad light.”

“For clarity, Evangelist Ukpo Daniel was never invited nor arrested by the DSS.”

The secret police also said that the evangelist’s spouse, Elizabeth, had confirmed to one of its official that her husband was with the police as at the same time allegations of the DSS phantom arrest was circulating on social media.

The DSS said it viewed the “misrepresentations” as an attempt to “distort national security narratives or disrupt ongoing operations.” It urged the public to rely only on verified information and official communication channels, as a way to guard against the spread of disinformation.