Retraction: Tribune, Blueprint Newspapers Apologize To DSS Over ‘Lagos Assembly Complex Invasion’ Story

Those in charge of the Tribune and Blueprint newspapers have apologized to the Department of State Services (DSS) for wrongfully reporting that its officers invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly complex. 

Recall that in the wake of the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, some media houses had erroneously reported that DSS officers invaded the Assembly complex. It however, later emerged that, fearing that there could be a breakdown of law and order, the Assembly management had invited the secret police to provide security. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that sequel to the media reports, counsel for DSS, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, sent letters to the media houses in question to demand a retraction of the stories and apology.  

Recall that, some prominent media houses, including the African Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television, had publicly apologized to the secret police, while the Service has concluded plans to take a legal action against unapologetic media outfits including  Lagos Television.

Responding to the request by the DSS counsel, Tribune newspaper said it was misled into believing that their officers actually invaded the Assembly complex but retracted the stories upon realizing the true position. 

‘We write in respect of the above matter and wish to report back to you that in compliance with your demands for Retraction and Apology in all the media handles where Tribune has its presence, the company has complied accordingly’   African Newspapers of Nigeria, publishers of Tribune newspapers, submitted. The letter was dated March 19, 2025, and signed by the company’s head legal, Wole Efunnuga. 

‘The Saturday Tribune of February 22, 2025, on its page 23, published the said Retraction and Apology. See annexure 1 attached. On Sunday, 23rd February 2025, the Sunday Tribune published the same Apology and Retraction on page 5. See annexure 2 attached’ Efunnuga noted, adding, “On Monday, 24th February, 2025, the Nigerian Tribune equally published the Apology and Retraction on page 19. See annexure 3 attached’ he concluded.

 “These are four handles where Tribune has its presence, and the four of them have complied with your demands, Sir. We are grateful for your kind consideration in this regard’.

In its own ‘letter of Retraction and Apology’, Blueprint Newspaper regretted that, it reported that the DSS locked the offices of the Lagos Assembly Speaker and his deputy, in the bid to prevent members from gaining access.

 The letter was signed by the newspaper’s Editorial Director, Clem Oluwole. 

He wrote, ‘We have since realized that the presence of your client  (DSS operatives) at the premises of the Assembly was at the behest of the acting Clerk vide a letter dated 14th of February, 2025, to support security agents attached to the complex in order to forestall an imminent breakdown of law and order’.

He continued, ‘We know the implications of bringing such a critical Institution to disrepute and public ridicule. By this letter, we fully retract the publication. 

We sincerely apologize to DSS and also regret the embarrassment the misleading publication might have caused the organization, as no malice, whatsoever, was intended’ the newspaper director submitted while adding ‘kindly accept the assurances of my highest regards’-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you