TheCable

Nigeria’s secret police is the unsung hero of many successful operations. The service till date prides itself in its biggest achievement, which is ensuring the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country by promptly addressing the various challenges to Nigeria’s internal security. This constitutional provision has been upheld including being charged with the task of conducting counter measures against security threats, which is at the forefront of all its engagements.

Contrary to wide criticisms that the Department of State Services (DSS) has failed in its most basic duty as an intelligence agency following the EndSARS protest that rocked the nation in October, the service has implemented strategies that has not only been successful in tackling insecurity, but is saving the nation from collapse.

Suffice it to say that, if not for the pivotal role of the Service before, during and after the #EndSARS under the leadership of the present Director General, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and in synergy with other agencies, the consequences of the plan by clandestine elements to hijack the hitherto peaceful EndSARS protests, may have been irredeemable.

By the nature of their jobs, the Nigeria Secret Police like it’s counterparts across the world, does not advertise their achievements or actionable intelligence except on the need-to-know basis. Fortunately, for some of some analysts and experts who by the nature of their jobs know some of the inner workings of the intelligence agency, they have come to realize that the agency is actually the eyes, ears and nose of the nation and pillars upon which the security of the country is solidified.

There is no doubt that it has had its own shares of failings and areas that needs improvement, especially concerning the issues of alleged human rights violations. However, these concerns have been consigned to the dustbin of history for over two years now as could be testified by the spirited efforts made by the then Acting Director General of the DSS, Mr. Mathew Seiyefa, a trajectory, which has been religiously improved upon by Bichi since assumptions of office. It is therefore, to his credit that the allegations of rights violations have reduced to the barest minimum.

The nation is today celebrating the arrest of the alleged Pension thief and fugitive, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, but what many did not know that the success was achieved through the instrumentality of the DSS in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies. There are also numerous covet but successful operations in aid of national security and anti-corruption drive. It would not be surprising that many people may be unaware that the operatives are very active in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North East as well as providing actionable intelligence for the anti-graft agencies.

Accordingly, experts and analysts alike have described the Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) and its operatives as unsung heroes who, despite sustained attacks on its image, have remained true and committed to duties of curtailing threats to the internal security of the Nigeria.

The service till date prides itself in its biggest achievement, which is ensuring the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country by promptly addressing the various challenges to Nigeria’s internal security. This constitutional provision has been upheld including being charged with the task of conducting counter measures against security threats, which is at the forefront of all its engagements.

The DSS has effectively conducted counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country. It has also achieved similar feats in the areas of reducing economic crimes, internet and advance fee frauds, 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 widely reported achievements include, but not limited to: intercepting terrorist elements that try to gain illegal entry into the country as well as disrupting terrorist cells; Intercepting a large cache of arms and ammunition in parts of the country; and investigating and prosecuting high profile security breaches across the country.

Other responsibilities dutifully performed by the secret Police include: continued protection of democratic institutions thus strengthening the democratic culture in Nigeria; providing policy support to all levels of Government through timely dissemination of intelligence, providing timely security education for the public through effective information and communication management. This has served to boost the 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, partnership with strategic groups, strategic communication and robust fight against terrorism and insurgency.

It is however, important to note that the DSS has been able to achieve this through collaborations with sister agencies, providing actionable and timely intelligence to the sister agencies and to government officials for informed policy as well as improved staff welfare, timely payment of allowances, providing medical support and accommodation.

It has sustained intelligence gathering efforts and aggressively participated in enforcement/joint operations with sister agencies. Some of its other widely reported achievements include, but not limited to: intercepting terrorist elements that try to gain illegal entry into the country as well as disrupting terrorist cells; Intercepting a large cache of arms and ammunition in parts of the country; and investigating and prosecuting high profile security breaches across the country.

On assessment s of his two-year tenure, Bichi has received commendations by both critics and supporters of the government, state officials and his peers in the security sector as well as the staff of the agency for his team spirit as well as professionalism devoid of political activism or gratification. The DSS boss has achieved strategically not only in combating insecurity, but also within the service. Just recently, the Forum of Retired Directors (FORD) of the DSS paid solidarity visit to the DGSS and praised him for his sterling leadership disposition. The Forum members are accomplished personalities and not known for praise singing.

A public affairs analyst, Raymond Uchenna noted that since inception of the Service, postings and deployments of all cadres of personnel has been a regular occurrence which has never been put to question.

The analyst who spoke while debunking claims that the morale of DSS staff is at its lowest said, ” My inquiries revealed that even the lowest ranking operative in the DSS rates the present DG as one of the best in terms of staff welfare. Not only are salaries and allowances paid on time, all outstanding sundry arrears have been cleared by his administration.

“This is in addition to the provision of very conducive working environment and also accommodations as well as the face-lifting of almost all existing structures to boost staff personnel.”

On accusation that the DSS was complicit in the degeneration of the EndSars protests, Uchenna described it as sensational, illogical and irresponsible. He argued that intelligence processes start with the needs of intelligence consumers as well as other decision makers who require such information for informed policy.

Quoting him, he said: “Intelligence is strictly shared on NEED-TO-KNOW basis and restrictions. Real stakeholders have not complained about DSS laxity in intelligence production and sharing. I view the accusation that the DSS failed to intercept intelligence on the recent #EndSARS protests as a weak and despondent excuse aimed at giving support to the baseless allegations contained in the write-up.

“I want to believe the pivotal role of the Service before, during and after the #EndSARS protest was critical in the restoration of peace and stability.

“The Service, without mincing words, has paid its dues. The unity of Nigeria has rested on its shoulders, thus enemies of progress should not join moles and internal detractors to distract it. I can categorically state that since his assumption of office, the present DG enjoys impeccable support and cooperation of his management team and indeed all staff. This assertion is reflected in the efficient and optimal discharge of the Service’ mandate to protecting and preserving the internal security of the country”, he added.

Crucial but often neglected achievement of the current DSS since the time of Seiyefa and amplified by Bichi, is having a sense of responsibility as well as accountability to the public, especially Nigerians who want to know about some issues of national importance. There is no doubt that the agency scored itself high when it reinvigorated its open source and public relations department, manned by professionals that has given a face to the agency while providing declassified information to the media and the public. This has enhanced public education on preventive measures against crimes through effective deployment of strategic communication. Equally important, was the robust engagement with the media and partnership with the Presidential communication to give special briefing to media managers.

There is no doubt that the agency scored itself high when it reinvigorated its open source and public relations department, manned by professionals that has given a face to the agency while providing declassified information to the media and the public. This has enhanced public education on preventive measures against crimes through effective deployment of strategic communication. Equally important, was the robust engagement with the media and partnership with the Presidential communication to give special briefing to media managers.

Senator Iroegbu is a journalist and security analyst. He can be reached via [email protected]