DSS arrests Statistician-General over controversial crime survey report

Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) have arrested Semiu Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The arrest, made in his office on Wednesday, follows the release of a controversial crime survey report by the Bureau.

The “Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey” released by the NBS on Tuesday revealed staggering statistics, including that Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion as ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024.

The report also disclosed that an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across households in the country during the period.

The North-West region recorded the highest crime incidents, with 14.4 million cases, followed by the North-Central region with 8.8 million.

The report has drawn sharp reactions, with government sources reportedly viewing it as an embarrassment to the administration’s efforts in combating insecurity.

A senior NBS official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the DSS raid and Adeniran’s arrest, stating, “The CEO is currently in DSS custody. The operatives invaded our headquarters, seized computers, crime survey documents, and took Mr. Adeniran away.”

The source further revealed that the survey had been included as a budget line item, with N2 billion allocated for its preparation.

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However, Adeniran allegedly bypassed established protocols by releasing the report without first consulting security agencies or the Minister of Finance, Atiku Bagudu.

“The president and the minister were reportedly displeased with the report, which they felt embarrassed the government and its security agencies,” the official added. A high-level meeting convened by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu with top officials and security stakeholders allegedly preceded the DSS operation.

In the aftermath of the report’s release, the NBS announced that its official website had been hacked. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Bureau urged the public to disregard any unofficial communications or reports until its website is fully restored.

The timing of the alleged cyberattack has raised suspicions, with some linking it to the backlash against the crime survey. Efforts to contact the NBS spokesperson for clarification were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.

The arrest of Mr. Adeniran and the actions taken against the NBS highlight tensions between the government’s security apparatus and the Bureau’s mandate to provide independent statistical insights.

The NBS, as Nigeria’s principal agency for data collection and dissemination, plays a critical role in shaping policy decisions.

Observers warn that such incidents could undermine the Bureau’s independence and credibility, particularly if sensitive reports are subjected to political interference.

The development also raises concerns about the handling of Nigeria’s security challenges, with critics urging the government to focus on actionable reforms rather than suppressing unfavorable statistics.

As of now, the fate of the Statistician-General remains uncertain, with no official statement from the DSS or the presidency regarding the arrest.