In a chilling revelation that has sparked outrage across media and civil society circles, the Department of State Services (DSS) has admitted responsibility for a shocking late-night invasion of the residence of journalist and business manager of Silverbird Communications, Oyins Egrenbido, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The terrifying incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 9:00 p.m., when DSS operatives stormed Egrenbido’s home in a dramatic, Gestapo-style raid. According to eyewitness accounts, the agents forcefully breached the compound gate and smashed through the door before slapping Egrenbido’s wife into unconsciousness. She was later revived with water, visibly shaken and traumatised.
Egrenbido, accompanied by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) led by its State Chairman, Comrade David West, lodged a formal complaint with the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Alonyenu. Following investigations, the security breach was traced to the DSS.
“We were taken to the State Director of DSS who confirmed that his men carried out the operation,” Egrenbido said. “They have since apologised and taken full responsibility. They also promised to visit and assess the damage done to my property.”
The journalist, however, said the apology does little to erase the deep psychological scars inflicted on his family. “My wife and children are still shaken. That level of trauma is inexcusable. What if my wife had suffered a heart attack or something worse?”
Further reports indicate that the DSS operation wasn’t isolated. Other residences along the street were also raided, and several individuals were picked up without warrants. Disturbingly, these civilians were later dumped on a roadside in Yenagoa around 1:00 a.m.—with no charges or explanations offered.
“I didn’t even know who they were at first,” Egrenbido recounted. “They claimed to be police officers, but their conduct suggested otherwise. I called the local police division, but they never showed up. The entire street was in panic mode. No one felt safe.”
The brazen nature of the attack and the resulting trauma have ignited widespread condemnation. Rights activists and press freedom advocates have decried the incident as yet another example of unchecked abuse by state agents.
The DSS’s acknowledgement and apology, while noted, has done little to douse the fury of Nigerians who view the incident as an attack on press freedom, human rights, and the sanctity of the home.
PIONEER NEWS 