Connect with us

News and Report

A MILLION ACCOLADES TO THE DSS

Published

4 years ago

on

It is without doubt that due to some tendencies, certain elements will always endeavor to undermine public order and national security. It is in the recognition of that possibility that countries establish specific agencies to detect and prevent threats against national (internal) security. It goes without saying that managing the internal security of a populous country like Nigeria would not be an easy one.

The State Security Service (SSS) a.k.a Department of State Services (DSS) is one of such agencies charged with detection and prevention of crimes and threats against the internal security of Nigeria. It is the leading domestic intelligence agency in Nigeria. Its primary responsibility includes the collection of intelligence for good governance and national safety. It ensures the protection of the State and its officials, citizens, critical resources and infrastructure from domestic threat.

Evidently, the DSS in the country has been doing a herculean task in discharging the aforementioned responsibilities. It is however unfortunate that most people do not realize how much sacrifice the Service and its operatives have made. One key area the Service’s achievement is outstanding is in the maintenance of national unity.  No doubt the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country provided by the Constitution rests on the DSS ably led by its Director General, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi whose leadership has been impressive.

The criticisms in some quarters that the DSS has failed in its duty as an intelligence agency is unfounded. The Service has continuously implemented strategies that have not only been successful in tackling insecurity, but are saving the nation from collapse. The way and manner it managed the EndSARS incident and even the human rights community has remained outstandingly commendable. Nigeria has not collapsed due largely to the singular efforts of the agency.

That the DSS does not advertise its achievements is not a reason to castigate it in thankless ways. Most people would not know how much it stretches itself to protect the internal security of the country. Those that know are aware it is the eyes and ears of the nation. It is a gate keeper. The DSS is a pillar of support for Nigeria’s democracy. Since assumption of Bichi as its DG, the accusation of rights abuse has reduced drastically. The Service may not be perfect it is discharging its duties within the norms of democracy and rule of law.

Deeply involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East, it provides regular actionable intelligence to sister agencies. It does same for the anti-graft agencies and by doing so has reduced economic crimes, internet and advance fee frauds. The agency has maintained a robust strategy that is fighting kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking and militancy, amongst others. It has sustained intelligence gathering efforts and aggressively participated in enforcement/joint operations with sister agencies. Some of its other achievements include, but not limited to: intercepting terrorist elements as well as disrupting terrorist cell. It has also intercepted cache of arms and ammunition in parts of the country; investigated and prosecuted criminal cases particularly those against the state.

DSS’ support for democracy, public policy, timely dissemination of intelligence, security education among other positive contributions have helped to boost public confidence in the Service and reversed previously held notions that it is unfriendly. Other strategies employed by the agency are; training and capacity building for staff, acquisition of new tools and technological capacity to meet today’s challenges and partnership with strategic groups. In this regard, major media outfits that have visited the agency’s headquarters were warmly received by top officials of the security agency. The guest were told that primary objective of the Service was to make Nigeria safe for its citizens and not to witch hunt anybody.

Without any shred of doubt, the current DG, since his assumption of Office, has brought lots of positive changes to the DSS. Things can only get better as time goes on. His performance has been commendable, not only in the area of combating insecurity, but in the Service’s diligent discharge of its responsibilities. A million accolades to the distinguished DGSS and his men.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Fayose’s brother, Emmanuel joins Ekiti governorship race

Published

1 hour ago

on

January 11, 2025

By

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Fayose, has signified his intention to join the governorship race in Ekiti State.

Fayose, who is the immediate younger brother of the state’s former governor, Ayodele Fayose, disclosed this in a statement made available  on Friday.

According to him, his resolve to join the race was borne out of his desire to revamp Ekiti and return the state to the path of growth and development.

He said, “I am in the race to dislodge the Oyebanji-led government, and eventually, if I win, I will run an inclusive government that would steer Ekiti in the right direction.”

Fayose claimed that he was further motivated following the recent meeting between his brother, Ayodele Fayose and President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

At the meeting, the former governor was said to have informed the President that he would support the incumbent to return to office, an act his party members in Ekiti have since labelled as anti-party.

However, Fayose noted that his morale was not dampened by the ‘bad’ news.

Instead, he vowed to shock him by picking the PDP form with a strong conviction that Ekiti people would back him all the way to win.

He said, “I read about the meeting in the newspapers like any other person and I wish to state that the meeting has nothing to do with my aspiration.

“The meeting will not in any way impact my aspiration because the former governor, being my elder brother, is only exercising his Democratic rights of freedom of choice.

“His choice and preferences will not and cannot in any way impact negatively on my bid as we are separate entities pursuing different goals.”

Fayose also called on his supporters in the state to remain steadfast and resolute in their quest for positive change, adding that come 2026, the PDP will return to power to rebuild the state.

“So my brother is on his own and it’s left for the leadership of our great party to ascertain his political allegiance either to our PDP or APC.

“I am, however, using the opportunity provided by this platform to urge our teeming supporters to remain firm and resolute and not to be distracted in any way to cause the needed change in our state,” he concluded.

Continue Reading

News and Report

Extradition hitches stall prosecution of Alison-Madueke, says SAN

Published

4 hours ago

on

January 10, 2025

By

For over eight years, the Nigerian government has struggled to prosecute former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke due to complex extradition procedures, according to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wahab Shittu.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Shittu highlighted the legal and administrative hurdles involved in bringing Alison-Madueke back from the United Kingdom to face trial.

“You know the extradition procedures of getting somebody who has taken flight from one country to another involve legal compliance procedures that must be satisfied before someone can be extradited to Nigeria,” Shittu explained.

“There are judicial procedures and international administrative protocols that must be complied with.

“Successive Nigerian governments, particularly this administration, are making efforts to ensure Diezani is brought back to face her trials. However, legal and extra-legal hurdles remain a significant challenge.”

Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been accused of siphoning millions of dollars in public funds.

Despite numerous cases filed against her in Nigerian courts, her continued stay in the UK has hindered her prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government on Friday secured $52.88 million in recovered Galactica assets linked to Alison-Madueke from the United States.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi revealed the details during a formal asset agreement signing ceremony in Abuja.

Fagbemi announced that $50 million of the recovered funds would be allocated through the World Bank for rural electrification projects, while the remaining $2 million would be directed to the International Institute of Justice to enhance the country’s justice system and counter corruption efforts.

This latest recovery underscores Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing stolen assets, but Shittu stressed that the ultimate goal remains ensuring accountability.

“These challenges demonstrate the complexity of international justice systems,” Shittu noted, “but efforts must continue until justice is served.”

In October 2023, Fagbemi submitted a warrant of arrest and request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom for the urgent extradition of Alison-Madueke.

Meanwhile, in May 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission planned to join forces with the United Kingdom prosecutors as an interested party in the trial of the former petroleum minister in a UK court.

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

EFCC Arrests Four Chinese, 101 Others For Suspected Internet Fraud In Abuja

Published

12 hours ago

on

January 10, 2025

By

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four Chinese nationals and 101 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja for internet fraud.

They were arrested on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

 

The suspects, comprising 67 males (including four Chinese) and 38 females were allegedly involved in a hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world.

Continue Reading

Trending