The director general of the DSS, Lawal Daura, vowed to deal with individuals and groups that threaten the inviolability and sanctity of the Nigerian state.
He said the unity of the nation is a “sacred trust” that links security with governance.
Daura gave the warning at a national security seminar on unity in diversity, security and development, organised by the Department of State Service (DSS) in Abuja yesterday.
While recognising efforts by some well-meaning individuals to maintain peace, the DG said the Service is worried by the “toxicity” of ethnic agitations.
His words: “In recent times, centrifugal forces have been at work in our great nation, trying their utmost to pull us apart. They have vainly leveraged on our ethnic, geographical and religious cleavages- the key factors that constitute our very rich tapestry of cultural treasure and diversity- to ignite hate speeches and stoke ethnic cum religious tensions nationwide.
“Sundry youth groups and individuals, with diverse subversive agendas have latched unto this latest manifestation of ethno-religious divisions to afflict the national stage and consciousness with their atavistic and retrogressive utterances as well as infantile threats.
“Undoubtedly, these utterances and threats have spawned, in their wake, considerable anxiety among law-abiding, ordinary citizens residing in different parts of the country”.
