DSS Orders Sanctions Against Officials Who Unlawfully Arrested Plateau Journalists

The Department of State Service (DSS) has initiated disciplinary action against the personnel responsible for the unlawful arrest and detention of two female journalists in Jos, Plateau State, over the weekend. The incident, which occurred while the reporters were covering a high-profile funeral service, has drawn significant public outrage.

Dependable NG reports that the journalists, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, both working for Jay 101.9 FM, were detained on Saturday. Their arrest followed the publication of a video report showing an altercation between security details and clerics who were denied access to the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Headquarters Church, the venue for the funeral service of the late mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

The situation escalated when the video, which captured clerics angrily protesting the denial of entry, went viral. In reaction, DSS officers promptly arrested Marcus and Jang and whisked them away to an unknown location, prompting their radio station to release a public statement confirming their staff were missing. Following the widespread public outcry and the negative attention generated by the incident, the DSS was compelled to release the two journalists.

Despite their release, reports on Monday confirmed that the agency is moving to take serious action against the “overzealous” officers involved. It was gathered that the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, has directly ordered disciplinary action against the personnel responsible for the arrest and detention of Marcus and Jang.

A source within the DSS, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the Director-General’s move. The source stated that while the agency has acknowledged the action was a mistake and has apologized, the Director-General insisted on disciplinary measures to “serve as a deterrent to others.” The source confirmed that the officers involved have been identified and that the disciplinary measures are currently being implemented in compliance with the DG’s directive, underscoring the agency’s promise not to allow its officers to take the law into their own hands.