Rita Odafe
Families Seek Assistance After Arrest of Couple by DSS
The relatives of Nurudeen Adesiyan and Kehinde Akintunde are urgently seeking help after the pair was reportedly detained by individuals believed to be from the Abuja office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Narratives indicate that the couple was taken into custody on November 29 in Arowosola Quarters, Ajape, Modakeke, Osun State.
Family members claim that since their arrest, there has been no communication from either Nurudeen or Kehinde, leaving their location unknown.
Boyenle Adesiyan, Nurudeen’s elder brother, expressed his frustrations over their inability to locate the couple. He stated that the DSS agents arrived at their home at approximately 5 am in four vehicles but failed to disclose where they were taking Nurudeen and Kehinde.
Boyenle recounted, “Nurudeen messaged me around 5 am on the 29th saying security personnel were present at our house but hadn’t made any arrests yet. When I replied, he did not respond.”
“At 6 am, my mother called, stating that the officers had forced their way in while she was trying to bathe. They confiscated her phone and inquired about a contact named ‘Kehinde 2’ in her call log.”
“They then compelled her to guide them to Kehinde’s home, unaware that Kehinde was with my mother. Kehinde, who frequently stays with us as my brother’s fiancée, was arrested alongside Nurudeen.”
Boyenle added that once at Kehinde’s residence, the officers allegedly searched the property, causing damage and taking personal belongings.
The operatives reportedly detained Kehinde’s family before releasing them a distance from the community school, but they continued to hold Nurudeen and Kehinde.
“We have remained in the dark regarding their situation since the arrest. The DSS has provided no information on their location or the reasons for their detention. During our visit to the DSS office in Ile-Ife, we were informed that those involved were indeed DSS personnel, but we did not receive any details on their origin.”
“Our hope is to inform the public and trace the whereabouts of those arrested. They are innocent individuals with rights,” she appealed.
Gbenga Akintunde, Kehinde’s brother, described the distressing encounter with the DSS officers, who he claimed threatened him when he sought clarification on his sister’s arrest.
He stated, “My mother called early to notify me of the security forces at our home. Upon arrival, I found DSS officers on site and sought to understand the situation, only to be threatened with a firearm.”
“They invaded our property, assaulted everyone present, and confiscated phones. After detaining my mother and siblings, they released everyone at the community school but left with Kehinde and Nurudeen.”
“We reported the situation to the DSS office in Ile-Ife but were not provided with information regarding their location. Attempts to reach Kehinde and Nurudeen since the arrest have been unsuccessful, although sometimes their phones appear to ring without being answered.”
Gbenga mentioned that he was denied entry to the DSS office during another visit while trying to inquire about the couple’s detainment.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the DSS command in Osun have been unsuccessful, but an insider at the national headquarters noted that the operation was conducted by agents from Abuja.
“We are aware of the situation but were not involved in the operation. The personnel responsible are from Abuja,” the source stated.
Currently, the DSS headquarters in Abuja does not have an official spokesperson.
