DSS Is Now Nigeria’s Most Proactive Agency, Says Tonnie Iredia

Until recently, the Department of State Services (DSS), formerly the State Security Service (SSS), was largely unknown to the public. Those who were aware often referred to it as a government spy agency or the Secret Police, citing its covert operations, hooded operatives, and alleged suppression of dissent. Its personnel typically wore no recognisable uniform, worked undercover, and rarely spoke publicly. While such secrecy was tolerated under military rule, it became problematic in a democratic context where controversies are scrutinised.

One incident that thrust the DSS into the spotlight was the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole. The police and the DSS produced separate investigation reports. Oshiomhole rejected the police findings and publicly accused the police of being responsible for his aide’s death or of being involved through their associates. Many were disappointed with the police because the arrested suspects were found to have been in detention at the time of the crime, which cast doubt on the police’s credibility and suggested that the DSS might be more reliable. The government continued to call for cooperation among security agencies, but in recent years the DSS has become increasingly proactive, earning a reputation as one of the most pragmatic public agencies in Nigeria. This shift is largely attributed to its current Director General and Chief Executive, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

No head of any ministry, department or agency appointed since the start of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has received as much praise as Ajayi. While it is impossible to list all his commendations in this piece, a few stand out. The International Press Institute (IPI) awarded Ajayi for ordering the immediate release of journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, who had been arrested on no substantive grounds. The IPI stated that “under Ajayi’s leadership, conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably, through engagement rather than coercion; unlike in previous years when the DSS was notorious for serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists.”

Similarly, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) honoured the DSS boss, and other groups have praised Ajayi since 2024. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) commended the DSS for ensuring a peaceful, credible, and successful 2026 national convention. President Akinteye Afeez highlighted the DSS’s professionalism, patriotism, and operational excellence during the event, noting that the security arrangement was markedly better than in previous student gatherings.

Last month, the DSS released Ya’u Mohammed of Gashua, Yobe State, who had been detained in connection with a crime. After an investigation confirmed his innocence, the DSS ordered his immediate release and provided him with ₦2 million to facilitate his reintegration into society. Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd.), Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, said the gesture reflected the DSS leadership’s commitment to justice, compassion, and rehabilitation. He urged other security agencies to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights to strengthen public trust.

The Northern Christian Association (NCA) praised the DSS for arresting five suspects linked to the November 2025 abduction of students and staff at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. Chairman Rev. Joseph John Hayab said that citizens should not only criticize the government when it falls short but also acknowledge positive outcomes. He noted that insecurity remains the most pressing threat in Nigeria and that those who supply arms to criminals must be held accountable.

Nationwide, the DSS is lauded for using intelligence gathering and ballistic analysis to expose networks that support insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals. The agency has led the arrest and prosecution of those who attacked the Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi State; St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State; and villagers in Yelwata, Benue State.

President Tinubu has formally congratulated Ajayi on the recognitions he has received, including the IPI award. He praised Ajayi as a champion of press freedom, noting that under his leadership the DSS is “changing the narrative of hostility against members of the press and creating an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace.”

The Kogi State government also commended Ajayi, recalling his distinguished service in the state before his national appointment. The official statement noted that Ajayi “served our State with distinction, diligence, and uncommon professionalism. His current achievements at the national level reflect the same discipline, fairness, and strategic leadership we witnessed during his time in Kogi – calm disposition, intellectual depth, respect for institutional processes, and unwavering commitment to national security without compromising citizens’ rights and press freedom.”

This article joins many well‑wishers in applauding the excellence and innovations Ajayi has brought to the DSS, transforming it from a feared agency into a tool for national stability. Other security and law‑enforcement agencies are encouraged to emulate the DSS’s good practices. Nigeria cannot afford to have agencies that remain weak links in the security chain. Intelligence gathered and shared by the DSS must be acted upon; the 2022 Kuje Prison Break, which occurred because DSS intelligence was ignored, serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of inaction.

Staff within the DSS must maintain the high reputation that Ajayi has built. Officers still engaged in outdated practices must heed the signal to change or leave. One of Ajayi’s first actions upon taking office was dismissing 115 employees whose records showed corruption, siphoning of operational funds, falsification of credentials, and leaking of security information to unauthorized parties. Those privileged to serve in the DSS now have an obligation to uphold the agency’s integrity, especially as Ajayi promises to employ first‑class graduates. If the DSS continues to meet this standard, its excellence will have no limits.

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