DSS Arrests Veteran Journalist, Femi Davies, Denies Access To Family, Associates

Veteran journalist and publisher of MetroNews, Otunba Femi Davies has been detained by the Department of Security Services (DSS).

Davies was arrested and detained Monday by the secret police at their Abeokuta, Ogun State headquarters.

According to one of the associates of the detained journalist, he was invited for questioning by the service on Friday, an invitation which he honored having nothing to fear as a law-abiding citizen and public-interest journalist.

“Surprisingly, he has been held incommunicado by the general public, family, and associates since he arrived in the Ogun State Command of the DSS,” the associate stated.

“Given that journalism is not a crime in this country, the earlier invitations and subsequent detention of Otunba Femi Davies by the DSS is completely illegal and (it is) a naked abuse of power, Sections 34, 35, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution are clear on this.

“This naked abuse of power stands condemned. The willingness of lawless SSS to be used as tools of intimidation and state repression also stands condemned in our society,” he added.

Davies was appointed and served as the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Directorate of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC in Ogun State, a position he diligently delivered for the mandate and candidature of the incumbent President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before it was dissolved April 2023.

Davies is also the President of the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria, SDNON.

He is also a well-sort after Public Relations consultant, publicist, and brand manager with an outstanding career that has spanned close to three decades.