From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State business manager for SilverBird Group, Rhythm FM stations in Yenagoa, Comrade Oyins Egrenbido speak to Salient Times News on how DSS broke into his house
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the amiable journalist and his family observed their traditional evening prayer, and retired to bed early, as was his custom, and particularly after the Democracy Day news coverage and celebration.
But what ought to be a peaceful night turned chaotic.
They were awakened by the noise of sporadic gun shots and bangs on their doors, as men reportedly in police uniform broke into his home at about 9pm.
In the midst of the hullabaloo, a situation that jolted everyone to their feet, including his wife and the little children seeing gun-wielding security officials, Oyins said he didn’t know the division they came from and what exactly was their mission.
“They only said they were policemen.”
The journalist said he reached out to his phone and quickly made calls to the police “but they didn’t come.
“I understand they raided the entire street and made some arrests, but we are yet to know the division they came from, and if they were actually police officers,” he said.
“My wife and children were traumatized.”
However, on Friday, June 13, 2025, some officials of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ and the State chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Comrade David West accompanied the journalist to the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Alonyenu Idu, to formerly report the invasion of the home of the Egrenbidos.
The invasion was traced to the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services, DSS after some investigations.
“We were taken to the State Director of DSS who confirmed the incident.
“The DSS has apologized and taken responsibility.
“They promised to visit me to check at some of the damaged items.”
Oyins Egrenbido has thanked members of the NUJ Bayelsa State Council and the State Commissioner of Police for their efforts and support at his moment of distress.
