Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television have apologized to the Department of State Services (DSS) over their reports concerning the DSS’s involvement in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis on February 17.
During its News Hour program, AIT retracted its earlier report, explaining that it was based on eyewitness accounts but admitted that the information was incomplete and misrepresented the DSS’s role. AIT clarified that it did not intend to discredit the DSS, acknowledging the agency’s importance in maintaining national security.
Channels Television also issued an apology during its Politics Today program, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. The show featured Muhammed Ngoshe, a former Assistant Director-General of the DSS, who explained that the DSS’s presence at the Lagos State House of Assembly was at the request of the Assembly’s clerk. Channels TV admitted that the term “invasion” used in their report was misleading, as it suggested the DSS acted without permission. They clarified that the DSS had been officially invited for security reasons.
Ngoshe stated that while the public apologies were appreciated, the DSS expects to receive formal written apologies from both television stations.
