BREAKING: Bauchi DSS Invites Take It Back Coordinator, Pressures Him To Appear Despite Ill Health

Bauchi State chapter coordinator of the Take It Back Movement (TIB), Nazif Bashi, has raised concerns over an alleged impromptu summons and harassment by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing the security agency of pressuring him to appear at its command office despite informing them that he was ill.

Bashi, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, said he received a phone call at about 12:44 pm from a DSS officer who later handed the phone to a senior officer.

According to him, the senior officer “aggressively” demanded that he report to the DSS command office by 2:00 pm the same day.

Bashi said he informed the officer that he was indisposed due to ill health and was resting, but the senior DSS officer allegedly accused him of being “stubborn” and continued to pressure him to appear immediately.

He said the officer subsequently asked whether he could send his deputy or secretary to the command in his place.

“I explained that due to the extremely short notice, I could not guarantee their availability, but I nevertheless reached out to my executive council,” Bashi said.

He added that none of the executive members was available to honour the invitation at such short notice.

The activist said he subsequently refused to succumb to what he described as intimidation, insisting that any meeting with the security agency should be rescheduled until he is medically fit and could attend with legal representation.

“Despite this pressure, I maintained my right to health and safety, refusing to yield to intimidation, and insisted on rescheduling for a time when I am medically fit and accompanied by legal counsel,” he said.

Bashi described the alleged action by the DSS as “informal pressure and unlawful intimidation” and called on members of the public, human rights organisations and international observers to take note of the development.

“I want the general public, human rights organizations, and international observers to be fully aware of this informal pressure and unlawful intimidation by state security agents in Bauchi,” he said.

He maintained that participation in civic activities should not expose activists to harassment by security agencies.

“Civic engagement is not a crime, and I hold the DSS fully responsible for my safety, personal liberty, and physical well-being,” Bashi said.

The Take It Back Movement has been involved in civic and political advocacy, including campaigns on governance, human rights and economic hardship.

As at the time of filing this report, Sahara Reporters’ efforts to get the comments of the DSS on the matter failed as calls to the same number which Bashi the DSS called him, were not answered.