Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television have apologised to the Department of State Services (DSS) over their reports on the agency’s alleged involvement in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis on February 17.
This is even as Channels TV, on Friday, also offered an apology during its programme, Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, where the former assistant director-general of the DSS, Muhammed Ngoshe, was a guest.
Okinbaloye stated that the situation had been misinterpreted, with initial videos portraying a picture of lawmakers shocked by the DSS’s presence, suggesting an invasion by the DSS.
However, it was later revealed that the House clerk had formally requested the DSS’s presence for protection.
AIT formally retracted its initial report during its News Hour programme, clarifying that it was based on eyewitness accounts.
The station further admitted that the information was incomplete and misrepresented the role of the DSS.
In an official statement, AIT stated:
“AIT News wishes to apologise to the Department of State Services, DSS, for the news item broadcast during our bulletin on Monday, February 17, 2025, regarding the presence of DSS officers at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Our intention was not to malign or embarrass the DSS, an institution we hold in the highest regard for its critical role in safeguarding our nation.
“Our reporting was based on eyewitness accounts and information obtained from sources at the Lagos State House of Assembly. However, we recognise that the report may have been incomplete and unintentionally misrepresented the service and the presence at the State House of Assembly. We hereby regret any embarrassment this may have caused.”
