PASAN calls for release of 3 Lagos Assembly staff from detention

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Lagos Assembly Chapter, has called for the release of three staffers of the House of Assembly allegedly arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

PASAN Chairman, Com. Babatunde Ogunlana, at a press conference held in Assembly Complex on Tuesday, called on the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and organised Labour to intervene and rise in defence of democracy.

The Lagos Assembly staff also called on governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to prevail on the relevant authorities for justice.

“The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Lagos Assembly Chapter, condemned the alleged detention of three staffers of the Lagos State House of Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS).

“The detained members include two Sergeants-at-Arms officers and a Public Affairs Officer, who were allegedly arrested for preventing the DSS officials from entering the chamber with firearms on Monday 17th February, 2025 contrary to House norms.

“We condemned the humiliating arrest, detention and trial of the officers as abuse of power and gross violation of the rights of the staffers who were performing their statutory duties.

” PASAN as a Union demands the immediate release of the detained staff members, and call on the authorities to institute a thorough investigation into their arrest, torture, and continued detention with a view to forestall recurrence. The association further call on DSS to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of the affected staff” he added.

PASAN Chairman added “The Union use this medium to call for the intervention of Director General of DSS to quash the frivolous trial of our members and ensure their immediate release.

” We call on the Civil Society Organisations and organized labour to rise in defense of democracy and rule of law as injury to one is injury to all to prevent future intimidation and harassment of workers by security agencies.

“The continued detention of our members raises genuine concerns for the health and safety of the affected staff one of whom is asthmatic.

“The DSS’s intentions are questionable too as the Association finds the prosecution of our members worrisome and unnecessarily subjecting our members to psychological trauma. We urge all relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this situation before it gets out of hand”.