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The name conjures fear and trepidation in many quarters. Nigerians have different opinion about them. Journalist who had experienced their high handedness describe them as inhuman and heartless beings used by those in authority. That was especially so when they had the name Nigeria Security Organisation ( NSO) .
In those days, before they shed the name that seemed like a demonic toga, personnel of the NSO frequently go haywire in many states of the federation. Many clandestinely poked their nose out of their official mandate like the disbanded Federal special Anti- Robbery Squad (F-SARS) This writer experienced a very nasty ordeal in their hands in 1985 as the Chief correspondent of the defunct National Concord in Enugu, following a front page news authored by me. I was almost signed off under the draconian Decree Number Four. The police had arrested me on behalf of NSO and handed me over to the State Director of NSO, Mr. Njemanze, who later handed me over to four harsh and unfriendly male officers and a tall, air and outwardly beautiful Jezebel. They were mandated to extract information from me.
After the gruesome encounter, l drew the line. At the time, the Organisation was operating under dictatorial military intoxication. Personnel of the agency threw away all decorum and exhibited acts similar to slave captors along the West African coast.
After my ordeal my perception of the Organisation completely changed from what I used to think of them. I was so bitter that I drew a line between me and them. Instead of dreading them, l hated them. instead of fearing them, l dared them and was even ready as a journalist to give up my life in their hand. It was as bad as that.
However, after decades of close observation and scrutiny of the activities of this security agency in its changed name and character, my earlier perception of the organisation started evaporating gradually realized that leaders and bad governments most times are responsible for the negative and inhuman conduct of security agencies. When security personnel exhibit devilish traits it can always be traced to the attitude of the government.
Time was in this country when military dictators held sway. Security agencies such as the Police, the Military and the NSO were dreaded then as they reflected the mindset of the dictatorship. Heinous activities were perpetrated in the name of security..
Many Nigerians got missing. Many were wickedly killed or assassinated. Many others were arrested for no justifiable reasons.
Journalists fell prey on daily basis to these scavenging security agencies as many were arrested, detained in an island invested with crocodiles and snakes without any prosecution. The inhuman activities of the security personnel at this time remain a nightmare to those who witnessed some of the things that happened to innocent citizens. Public perception of the security agencies were developed from experiences of citizens.
While the NSO was displaying its open wickedness, the Mobile Police being the major strength of Nigeria Police was busy harassing market women, civil right activists and tear-gassing student unions .
Today democracy has almost wiped off these unwholesome activities of the past. Democracy has become the cold water that wet the hot ground and atmosphere. Despite the changing faces and behaviors of these agencies, some misguided elements among them still exhibit hang-over of military dispensation.
Today, one can feel the air of change at the sprawling yard of the Department of State Security (DSS). It has completely metamorphosed to a far better, friendly and disciplined agency.
From NSO, to SSS and today the State Security Services, self-styled as the Department of State Services, (according to Wikipedia), “is the primary domestic intelligence agency of Nigeria. It is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President and state governors”. lt was founded on 5th of June 1986 during the General Ibrahim Babangida administration.
A cordial invitation activated my recent visit to Aso Drive Abuja headquarter of the Organisation. The long road is divided and motorist share it with the DSS. My driver was very careful as he meandered through the road leading to the gate. Suddenly, he stopped, and l asked him why? “Somebody waved me to stop.” A young man approached and courteously asked me who l wanted to see. “l want to see the media officer”, I replied. “Any invitation Sir?”, yes, l replied smiling. Many Nigerians don’t often know how to respond to questions from security personnel either on the highway or at security points. The Holy book advises that smiles disarm a frowning face. The well kitted security guy, ushered my driver to move on to the first gate. Before approaching the gate another interception and more questions. He welcomed me and the cordial expression was lively. All in dark suit. Again, we were ushered on to another gate and the same procedure, this time with more firmness to let me know that l was entering a restricted yard. Immediately l recalled my visit to Scotland Yard, London. Suddenly the over ten feet high gate electronically opened to welcome me to that famed agency,and low and behold, the land of secrecy. Every male we’re in suit and my driver was politely directed where to the car park. I was immediately urshered to the security desk. After the usual ritual at such desk , my two phones were collected and l was asked to proceed to the waiting room. My mind was a bit restless at the taking away of my phones. what if they tamper with my contacts? What if they plant a security chip in my phone to track every of my calls and conversations?, many of such questions rolled in my head . What if they detain me for speaking and writing against them all these years?, l started wondering if I did the right thing by coming here. “ Ben, you have walked into the Lion’s den” . Almost the same caption of my encounter with the organisation in 1985, when l wrote a descriptive piece title “ Reporter in NSO Den”.
Minutes later, a young man, walked into the cozy waiting room, and called my name.
He was friendly as he escorted me to the office of the spokesman. We walked some meters and entered a lift, and after some walks, l was welcomed into a vast office . A plumpy beautiful average height lady welcomed me as if we had known each other before. “ He will soon be with you. Please can l offer you water?. Immediately, l knew that there was no hidden agenda behind the invitation extended to me.
Indeed, it was a friendly invitation. “Water” according to Fela kuti “ has no enemy”. Alas, before my mind could settle, a handsome man, almost my height, walked in , stretched out his hand for a warm shake. He ushered me into his office. His name does not matter, but his disposition was miles different from what l had witnessed years back.
