In the past, not many people knew anything about the Department of State Services (DSS) formerly known as the State Security Service (SSS). The few who knew something about the organisation merely called it, government spy or the Secret Police because it reportedly operated in secrecy, wearing hoods and silencing anti-establishment critics. Indeed, its personnel wore no recognisable uniform; worked incognito and never said anything in public. The system was easily sustained during a military regime but not so in a democracy where controversies control matters of the moment. One of such matters which put the DSS in the public glare was the killing of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to Adams Oshiomhole the then governor of Edo state.
The Police and the DSS had 2 different investigation reports on the incident. Oshiomhole did not only reject the police report, he publicly accused the police as the killers of his aide or their associates. Many people were actually disappointed in the police because those they arrested for allegedly killing Olaitan were discovered to have been in detention at the time of the crime. This gave the impression that the DSS was a more credible entity. The disparity was not overplayed as government continued to call for synergy between and among security agencies. In the last few years however, the DSS has become so proactive that there is now a high degree of consensus that it has become the most pragmatic public agency in Nigeria. The credit without doubt goes to its new Director General and Chief Executive, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.
No head of any Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) appointed since the advent of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has received as much praise as Ajayi. We cannot list all his commendations for want of space available for this piece, but we can name a few to make the point sink. First, was the award by International Press Institute (IPI) for ordering the immediate release of one of their members Adejuwon Soyinka who was arrested for nothing other than being a journalist. The IPI issued a statement 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.”
It is simplistic to assume that it was for the same reason that the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) decided to also honour the DSS boss, because since 2024, different groups have been commending Ajayi. For example, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) commended the DSS for ensuring a peaceful, credible and successful 2026 national convention of the student body. Their President, Akinteye Afeez, praised the DSS for what he called an exceptional display of professionalism, patriotism and operational excellence during the exercise. When compared with how students were usually treated whenever they had a national event, the 2026 experience featured a peculiar security architecture and strategic coordination put in place by the DSS.
Only last month, the DSS released from detention, a citizen Ya’u Mohammed from Gashua, Yobe state, who had been detained in connection with a crime. As soon as it became clear from investigation that Ya’u was innocent of the alleged crime, the DSS boss did not only order his immediate release but also provided him with the sum of ?2 Million to fully reintegrate into the society. The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retd.) stated on the occasion that the gesture reflected a deliberate commitment by the leadership of the DSS to promote justice, compassion, and rehabilitation. All other security agencies were urged to endeavour to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights in order to strengthen public trust and cooperation.
In a different development, the Northern Christian Association (NCA) had praises for the DSS led by its Director General, (DG) Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi for the arrest of five suspects linked to the November 2025 abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. According to the Chairman of the association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, people of good conscience should not only criticise the government when it fails to meet expectations but should also acknowledge positive outcomes whenever they occur. Many Nigerians are on the same page as Rev, Hayab because insecurity has become the single most perilous existential threat in our society today. The criminals and those involved in supplying arms to them must be detected and made to account for their deeds.
The entire nation is therefore happy with the DSS and its visionary DG in using intelligence gathering and ballistic analysis to illuminate the notorious network that is giving oxygen to insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and all forms of criminals tormenting Nigeria. All well meaning citizens are looking with hope for more exposures and prosecutions especially now that many of those involved in the deadly attacks in parts of the country are being apprehended. Notably, we salute the DSS for its leading role in the arrest and prosecution of those who attacked the Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi state, St Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo state as well as the attacks on villagers in Yelwata, in Benue state.
Luckily, the government has also joined in commending the DSS for its exemplary diligence and commitment to duty. As if to make the point that it has followed the spate of individual, group and community appreciations to the service, President Tinubu has himself formally congratulated Ajayi on the commendations he keeps getting. With respect to that of IPI, Tinubu a long-time media proprietor proudly appreciated Ajayi’s recognition as a champion of press freedom. In earnest the IPI’s award is significant because it is unusual for the media and security agencies to work together in developing societies. It is worthy of note that under Ajayi, the DSS in the words of President Tinubu “is changing the narrative of hostility against members of the press and creating an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace.”
On its part, the Kogi state government found cause to formally extol the leadership qualities of the DSS boss. In its own commendation letter, Kogi state made the point that the state had expected to hear much of Ajayi’s exceptional leadership having displayed similar qualities while he served in the state before rising to the apex of the service. According to the official statement of the Kogi state government, Ajayi “served our State with distinction, diligence, and uncommon professionalism. His current achievements at the national level are a reflection of 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 column joins Ajayi’s numerous well-wishers in applauding the excellence and innovations he has brought into the transformation of the DSS from a feared agency to a tool for national stability. At this juncture, the option open to other security and law enforcement agencies is to emulate the good works of the DSS. Nigeria cannot afford to have agencies that would continue to serve as the weak links in the nation’s security chain. The intelligence gathered and shared by the DSS to other bodies must no longer be wasted. It is indeed, painful to recall that the Kuje Prison Break in 2022 happened because intelligence shared by the DSS was ignored by relevant agencies leading to the attackers freeing 879 of the 994 inmates at the location.
Another group that requires to be cautioned today is made of the staff of the DSS across the country. They must ensure that they do not derogate from the high reputation that Ajayi has been building since his appointment. Officers who are still entangled in the old practice of business as usual have enough signal to change or quit, remembering that one of the first things Ajayi did on assumption of office was the dismissal of 115 employees whose records revealed several infractions- corruption, siphoning funds meant for operations, falsifying credentials, leaking security information to unauthorized sources home and abroad etc. Those privileged to serve in the DSS at this point in time have an obligation to keep the flag flying as a service that is positioned to lead others because of its special nature – intelligence gathering and evidence preservation. If we go by Ajayi’s promise to employ first class graduates, the excellence of the DSS would have no limits.
