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Tag: DSS

  • We weren’t tortured in DSS custody, say released protesters

    We weren’t tortured in DSS custody, say released protesters

    A few days after their release, some protesters detained during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations have denied experiencing any torture while held at the Department of State Security (DSS) office in Kaduna State.

    Their statements contrast with those of Khalid Aminu, who alleged he was tortured, brutalized, and denied family contact by DSS operatives while detained at the same Kaduna facility.

    “What I went through, what we went through was inhumane, I can’t even begin to tell you everything,” Aminu had told a popular television station, Channels TV. 

    The protesters, released about a month ago, told journalists in Kaduna over the weekend that they were surprised by Aminu’s allegations, insisting that they faced no mistreatment during their detention.

    They clarified that they were Disc Jockeys (DJs) who had provided music at the protest in Kaduna and were not among those taken to court in Abuja. Their release came in early October 2024, following a review by the new DSS Director General, who, upon assuming office, determined they were innocent.

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    Dahiru Hamza, also known as DJ Zariya, from Tudun Wada, Kaduna, stated that “their release followed the DSS DG’s decision upon realizing their innocence.”

    He said: “I was arrested on the 8th of August, 2024. We were detained, but we were neither tortured nor starved. However, we were released without having to pay any bail and were asked to go and collect our sound systems on the orders of the new DG, DSS.”

    Hamza shared that he was misled by some protest organizers who assured him that security agencies had approved the demonstration.

    He also called on the government to increase employment opportunities for the country’s youth.

    Isa Abdullahi, known as DJ SP, who also performed in Kaduna, denied experiencing any torture during his time in DSS custody. 

    He mentioned that he had no trouble communicating with his wife while detained.

    He commended the DSS Director General for “ordering their release without any conditions or charges.”

    According to Abdullahi, Khaleed, the protest coordinator who hired the DJs, had allegedly informed them that security clearance for the event had been obtained. 

    Khaleed was also released, with all charges dropped on the Director General’s orders, allowing him to reunite with his family.

  • Released protesters deny alleged torture, praise DSS Director

    Released protesters deny alleged torture, praise DSS Director

    Two protesters arrested during the August 2024 EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, who have been since released, have stated that they were not tortured while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kaduna.

    According to the protesters, they were released a month ago from the DSS Kaduna office, stating they were DJs who played music during the protest in Kaduna and were not among those arrested and taken to court in Abuja.

    However, they told newsmen that they were released earlier in October 2024 following a directive from the new DSS Director General, who reviewed their case immediately after taking over and met them in custody.

    One of the released protesters, Isa Abdullahi arrested on August 2nd, denied allegation of being tortured during his detention by the DSS.

    He stated that he was able to communicate with his wife during his time in custody without any issues. “We were also given access to medication and food . We were not tortured in anyway,” he said

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    Abdullahi further praised the DSS Director General for ordering their release without any condition or charges against them. “We were released without being charged on the order of the DSS DG through the State Director,” he said.

    Another released protester Dahiru Hamza, from Tudun Wada, Kaduna, stated that their release followed the DSS Director’s decision upon realizing they are innocent.

    “On the very day of the protest I managed to run when we sighted security agencies. But I was later arrested on the 8th of August, 2024. We were detained, but we were neither tortured nor starved.

    “However, we were released without having to pay any bail and were asked to go and collect our sound systems on the order of the DG DSS which we did,” he explained.

    Hamza added that he was misled by some of the protest organizers, who told him that the security agencies had given them permission to protest in the state. He also called on the government to create more employment opportunities for the country’s youth.

    It was gathered that one of the protest organisers, who they claimed hired them, was also released, as all charges against him were dropped on the order of the new Director General of the State Security Service.

  • DSS replaces Tinubu’s CSO

    DSS replaces Tinubu’s CSO

    • Fasasi out, Lawal in

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has withdrawn Adegboyega Fasasi as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Aanother officer and a Deputy Director of the service, Rasheed Atanda Lawal, has been appointed to replace Fasasi.

    Although details of the replacement were still sketchy last night when it became public knowledge, it was gathered that Fasasi, who has served as CSO since Tinubu became President, was replaced because he had been sent on a professional training.

    Sources privy to the development said the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, had requested President Tinubu to approve the release of Fasasi from serving as CSO for him to proceed on a strategic training course.

    Read Also: BREAKING: DSS replaces Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer

    But another source told The Nation last night that Fasasi’s removal and replacement was not strange.

    The source said the outgoing officer ought to have anticipated it because it is a common practice in the service.

    According to the source, whenever a new DG comes to office at the DSS, he is most likely to embark on reorganisation in various areas of the service, especially around the President.

  • BREAKING: DSS replaces Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer

    BREAKING: DSS replaces Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer

    … Fasasi out, Lawal in

    The Department of State Service (DSS) has withdrawn Adegboyega Fasasi as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Meanwhile, another officer of the Service, Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a Deputy Director, has been appointed as a replacement for Fasasi.

    Although details of the development were still scarce Sunday evening when it became known, it was gathered that Fasasi, who has served as CSO since Tinubu became President, was replaced because he has been sent on professional training.

    According to sources privy to the development, the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, had requested President Tinubu to approve the release of Fasasi from serving as CSO so he could proceed on a strategic training course.

    However, a source who spoke to The Nation on Sunday evening, under anonymous conditions, said Fasasi’s removal and replacement was not strange, adding that the outgoing officer ought to have anticipated it because it is a common practice in the Service.

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    According to the source, whenever a new DG comes to office at the DSS, he is most likely to embark on reorganization in various areas of the Service, especially around the President.

    “Yes, I heard he has been replaced with another officer because he is being sent on a professional training course. At least there’s is reason for his removal and you can’t really premise that on any particular scandal, though you can entirely rule it out that there might have been a misgiving somewhere, it happens.

    “The angle I want us to actually look at it from is the fact that such exercise as this ‘change of guards’ usually happens when the DSS gets a new DG. You know they deal strictly with intelligence and operate in secrecy, the new DG will always prefer to have his own trusted men on critical beats, the Presidency and the office of the SCO to the President being number one on that list”, the source said.

    As at the time of filing this report, there was yet to be any official confirmation of the movements in the CSO’s office.

  • DSS slams N5.5b suit against SERAP over alleged false claims

    DSS slams N5.5b suit against SERAP over alleged false claims

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a N5.5billion defamation suit against a group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for allegedly making false claims that officials of the agency invaded its (SERAP’s) Abuja office.

    In the suit, filed in the names of two of its officials – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – the DSS stated among others, that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on its reputation and that of the two officials involved.

    The suit, filed on October 17 by DSS’ team of lawyers, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marked: CV/4547/2024, has SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare listed as defendants.

    The claimants stated, in their statement of claim, that, in line with its practice of engaging with officials of non -governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.

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    They added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

    The claimants, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.

    They said it was surprising that shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle: @SERAPNigeria, claiming that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying its office.

    The claimant added that “on the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s  website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS, “described as ‘a tall, large, dark-skinned woman’ and ‘a slim, dark skinned man,’ invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant.

    “In their statement, the defendants also urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately direct the DSS to end its intimidation, harassment and attack against the first defendant and the threat of arrest against its directors.

    “Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN).

    “Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

    They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.

    The claimants also stated that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because staff of the DSS have formed the opinion that the ridicule and criticisms received by the DSS are a result of the claimants actions.

    They added that as a result of the defendants’ false statements, the claimants are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the DSS; they have been made to make statements, subjected to interrogations, faced a disciplinary panel and now suspended from the DSS pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

    The claimants are therefore praying the court for the following reliefs:

    *An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.

    *An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5billion as damages for the libelous statements published about the claimants.

    *Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.

    *AN order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50million as costs of this action.

    The case now assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu of Court 13 of the High Court of the FCT, is yet to be scheduled for hearing.

  • DSS slams N5.5b suit against SERAP over alleged false claims 

    DSS slams N5.5b suit against SERAP over alleged false claims 

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a N5.5billion defamation suit against a group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for allegedly making false claim that officials of the agency invaded its (SERAP’s) Abuja office.

    In the suit, filed in the names of two of its officials – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – the DSS stated among others, that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on its reputation and that of the two officials involved.

    The suit, filed on October 17 

    by DSS’  team of lawyers, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), before the HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marked: CV/4547/2024, has SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare listed as defendants.

    The claimants stated, in their statement of claim, that, in line with its practice of engaging with officials of non governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite its new leadership for a familiarisation meeting.

    They added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s  management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

    The claimants, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to informed her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.

    They said it was surprising that shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle: @SERAPNigeria, claiming that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying it’s office.

    The claimant added that “on the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s  website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS, “described as ‘a fall, large, dark-skinned woman’ and ‘a slim, dark skinned man,’ invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant. 

    “In their statement, the defendants also urged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately direct the DSS to end its intimidation, harassment and attack against the first defendant and the threat of arrest against its directors. 

    “Due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN).

    “Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

    They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, 

    incompetent and unprofessional. 

    The claimants also stated that the defendants’ statements caused harm to the claimants’ reputation because staff of the DSS have formed the opinion that 

    the ridicule and criticisms received by the DSS are a result of the claimants actions. 

    They added that as a result of the defendants’ false statements, the claimants are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the DSS; they have been made to make statements, subjected to interrogations, faced a disciplinary panel and now suspended from the DSS pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. 

    Read Also: DSS blocked visitors access to Kanu, lawyers allege

    The claimants are therefore praying the court for the following reliefs:

    *An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff. 

    *An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants. 

    *Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated. 

    *AN order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50million as costs of this action. 

    The case now assigned to Justice Yusuf Halilu of Court 13 of the High Court of the FCT, is yet to be scheduled for hearing.

  • EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: Whither the DSS and Police?

    EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: Whither the DSS and Police?

    By Kenny Osifisan

    The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, now appears to be larger and higher than the laws of the land.  Though he no longer has immunity having left office as governor since January, it has become impossible to arraign him in court to answer charges of allegations of N80.2bn money laundering levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Chimes Commission (EFCC).

    In the past nine months, Yahaya Bello, apparently because of the support of some people in government, has continued to enjoy protection by some government security agencies in the country to defeat and slow down the course of the law. With these backings, Yahaya Bello has refused to appear in court to answer the charges against him being by the EFCC.

    While the EFCC is the right agency by law to prosecute the ex-governor over the alleged money laundering case, what has become the role of the DSS and the Police particularly their duties and obligations to the Nigerian constitution?

    The protection of Yahaya Bello directly or indirectly by government security personnel can only mean that their loyalty is not to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which they all swore to protect and defend at all times.

    Can this really happen in other climes that a person declared wanted by a court of proper jurisdiction is not only seen by government security personnel, but being given protection?

    Rather than arrest Yahaya Bello as a wanted man and handing him over to the prosecuting agency, these government security agencies have turned blind eyes and ears and continued to build a web of protection around Yahaya Bello as if he is still enjoying immunity as a sitting governor.

    Looking at it critically, what is going on now in Yahaya Bello’s case is against international norms and conventions.

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    When a citizen is been investigated for money laundering and other crimes, the international convention and norm is that the security agencies protecting that person must cooperate with the agency prosecuting that particular citizen. In fact, official security is immediately withdrawn from such person.

    A case in point is that the whole world saw what happened during the investigation of the former president of the United States of America, Donald Trump. Despite Trump’s previous position, which is far higher than those ever occupied by Yahaya Bello, Trump was not treated as an individual above the law.

    The security service personnel protecting Trump put the country first and cooperated with the FBI when it came to raid Trump’s house. They offered all the support the FBI needed to carry out its job, which is the acceptable international norm. But rather than follow the example in Nigeria, the security agencies protecting Yahaya Bello chose to obstruct investigations.

    When Yahaya Bello, who has been in hiding for months, eventually sneaked into the EFCC car park to take pictures the other week, he was seen holding firmly to the hand of his successor and kinsman, Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, who is presently enjoying immunity as a sitting governor.

    In court on Wednesday, September 25, , before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, the lead prosecution counsel in Yahaya Bello trial case, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, had explained what transpired in the recent appearance of Bello at the parking lots of the EFCC.

    He also pointed out that what played out was out of place despite both the trial court and Court of Appeal clearly ordering Bello to present himself for arraignment in the N80.2 billion money laundering charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

    He said “There is nowhere my Lordship or the Court of Appeal ordered that Yahaya Bello present himself at the EFCC car park, but rather to appear before my Lordship for arraignment.”

     “What is even more worrisome and disconcerting is that the defendant went to the EFCC car park holding the hands of a person with immunity who came with all the full security of his office”.

    “The implication, my Lord, is if there was an attempt to get him from the person of immunity, there would be an invitation to anarchy.

    “The invitation by the EFCC later in the day for Yahaya Bello to come alone, not with a person with immunity, security persons and other people, was resisted again on their own admission”, he said.

    Continuing, Pinheiro said, “My Lord, we wrote a letter to the defendant’s lawyers drawing our colleagues’ attention that arraignment is not conducted in EFCC’s car park, but the defendant should be in court today according to the judgment of the Court of Appeal and this honourable court’s ruling”.

     “The court must resist it Bello’s antics. It is a place of serious and solemn business”, he stated, as he specifically pushed for order of the court to sanction Bello’s lawyer, Agboyi, and be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, for turning the court to a Vaudeville.

    Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday had to grant the adjournment of the case against Yahaya Bello, until October 30, for a ruling after the defence counsel A.M. Adoyi informed the court that the matter of Bello’s arraignment, which is under appeal, had been taken to the Supreme Court.

    According to Adoyi, the Court of Appeal ruling on August 28, which directed Bello to appear before Justice Nwite for arraignment, had been challenged at the apex court.

    While the law is still obviously been exploited by the defendant to delay the trial process, it is very important for the security agencies protecting Yahaya Bello to put Nigeria first in their assignments and beats.

    They should follow the acceptable international conventions and norms to cooperate with the prosecuting agency, EFCC, towards getting justice and fighting corruption in the land. It is the constitutional obligations of the Police and the DSS to support and cooperate with the EFCC, not only on the Yayaya Bello case but on every other cases.

    No individual should be allowed or supported to be bigger than the laws of Nigeria.

    •Osifisan, a public affairs analyst and good governance advocate, sent this via osifisankehinde269@gmail.com

  • Anti-graft war: EFCC, DSS strengthen collaboration

    Anti-graft war: EFCC, DSS strengthen collaboration

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have resolved to strengthen collaboration.

    Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said this in a statement yesterday  in Abuja.

    Oyewale said that the collaboration would be, particularly, in the area of intelligence to tackle the menace of economic and financial crimes and corruption.

    According to him, the two agencies made the resolution, when Paul Akugbo, new Director, Base Command Liaison, Lagos paid a courtesy visit to Michael Wetkas, Acting Director, Lagos Directorate of the EFCC.

    Meanwhile, Akugbo described the visit as most necessary towards strengthening the already existing collaboration between the DSS and the EFCC.

    “It is, indeed, a thing of honour to be among you today.

    “As you know, the Base Command is not the Lagos Command; rather, it is the national headquarters annex located in Lagos,” he said.

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    He commended the EFCC for its unrelenting efforts to stamp out corruption from the Nigerian society.

    He said that the visit was a proactive measure to meet the people on ground and familiarise with them for a better collaboration.

    “Security is not a one-man business; so, cooperation and collaboration are needed.

    “For a door to be a door,  it opens both ways for mutual support, and we cannot afford not to collaborate as security agencies.

    “We are here for national security, and we have to work better. This is because the criminals are bonding too.

    “I can assure you our cooperation will be robust, and our support will not be hindered,” he said.

    Responding, Wetkas expressed delight in receiving Akugbo and his team, adding that the DSS and the EFCC had always worked together.

    “On several occasions, we have written letters to you for certain people on our watch-list and you have intercepted them and handed them over to us. We thank you for this.

    “The success of our various services is our joint success. Lagos is a challenging place and we are here to support in any way we can,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Isaac Bristol ‘PIDOM’ granted bail

    BREAKING: Isaac Bristol ‘PIDOM’ granted bail

    Bristol Issac Tamunobifiri, popularly known by his X name PIDOM Nigeria, has been granted bail.

    PIDOM was arraigned on Friday, September 27, on a nine-count charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    A few weeks ago, Justice Emeka Nwite, the judge presiding over the arraignment of Bristol, denied him bail.

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    Recall police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had said PIDOM “illegally” accessed restricted data and posted directives from the office of the IGP.

    The police spokesperson also claimed that the defendant raised funds to sponsor cyberterrorism.

    Adejobi said PIDOM was apprehended in connection with “criminal conspiracy, offences against the Official Secrets Act, leakage of classified restricted documents, acts likely to cause a breach of the public peace, sedition, fraud, and tax evasion”.

    In an update on Friday, September 27, rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, tweeted: “Isaac Bristol granted Bail!  @PIDOMNIGERIA #FREEPIDOMNIGERIANOW”

  • Northeast DSS directors meet in Bauchi to tackle rising security threats, explore lasting solutions

    Northeast DSS directors meet in Bauchi to tackle rising security threats, explore lasting solutions

    State Directors of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) from the Northeast have convened in Bauchi state to deliberate on the growing security challenges affecting the region.

    Speaking on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 17th Quarterly regional conference of the SDS at the command’s headquarters, Bauchi, the chairman of the North-East SDS, Sani Bakori, said that the subregion has had its share of security challenges such as terrorism, Boko haram, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, among others.

    According to him, the security challenges have resulted in devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens, and gross significant setbacks to the development of the region and the country at large.

    Bakori added that they are poised to discuss and find lasting solutions to these problems so that the citizens can live securely wherever they are.

    He stressed that during the day’s conference, they would focus on several key areas crucial in fostering stability and peace in the northeast through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration, and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges.

    “We gather here, not just as representatives of our respective organizations, but we are here to deliberate on the security challenges confronting our communities, our states, and our nation.

    “The impact has been devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens, and its gross significant setbacks to the development and social cohesion,” he said.

    The North-East SDS chairman added: “Today, we are reminded that security is not merely the absence of violence, it is about creating an environment where our children can thrive, where families can feel safe in their homes, and where children can pursue their education without fear.

    Read Also: DSS releases detained #EndBadGovernance protesters

    “We will be engaged in discussing, over the next few days, let our focus be on several key areas that are crucial in fostering stability and peace in the north-east through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration, and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges.

    “It is pertinent to inform the participants that the world is changing and technically is also very relevant in discharging our mandate. As we move forward, let us be guided by the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and determination. The challenges we face are numerous but not insurmountable. Each of us has a role to play in building a safer and more secure north-east Nigeria.”

    He urged stakeholders in the security sector to commit to functional strategies and hold each other accountable as they work towards deliberating solutions that will make tangible differences in the lives of our people.

    “Let us remember that the true measure of our success will not be the strategies we develop but in the lives we touch and communities we restore the peaceful atmosphere. Together, we can create a future where security is not just a dream but a reality for all citizens of the north-east,” he stated.

    In his speech, while declaring the conference open, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was the special guest of honour, said that the conference reflects the collective commitment of Directors of the DSS towards ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian communities in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, described the Conference as timely saying that there is a need for security agencies in the country to keep themselves abreast with these challenges and take appropriate measures to nip them in the bud cannot be over-emphasized.

    He acknowledged the critical role the Department of State Services is playing in maintaining peace and stability, adding that the expertise of the DSS in intelligence gathering is indispensable in a world where threats can emerge from any corner and at any time.