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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 anything about the organization simply called it a government spy or secret police because it reportedly operated in secret, wearing hoods and silencing anti-establishment critics. Indeed, its staff wore no recognizable uniforms; he worked incognito and never said anything in public. The system was easily sustainable under a military regime, but not so in a democracy where controversy controls the issues of the moment. One of the issues that brought the DSS into the public eye was the killing of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to Adams Oshiomhole, the then Governor of Edo State.
The Police and DSS had 2 different investigation reports into the accident. Oshiomhole not only rejected the police report, but publicly accused the police of killing his aide or their associates. Many people were disappointed with the police as it turned out that those they had arrested for Olaitan’s alleged murder were in detention at the time of the crime. This gave the impression that the DSS was a more credible entity. The disparity has not been exaggerated as the government has continued to call for synergy among security agencies. In recent years, however, the DSS has become so proactive that there is now a high degree of consensus that it has become Nigeria’s most pragmatic public agency. The credit undoubtedly goes to its new Managing Director and CEO, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.
No head of Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) appointed since the advent of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has received as much praise as Ajayi. We cannot list all of his praises due to lack of space available for this piece, but we can cite a few to make the point. The first was the award given by the International Press Institute (IPI) for ordering the immediate release of one of their members, Adejuwon Soyinka, who was arrested simply because he was a journalist. The IPI released a statement that “under Ajayi’s leadership, conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably, through engagement rather than coercion; unlike previous years, when the DSS was known 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 honor the DSS chief, because since 2024 several groups have been praising Ajayi. For example, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) commended the DSS for ensuring a peaceful, credible and successful national convention of the student body in 2026. Their President, Akinteye Afeez, commended the DSS for what he described as an outstanding display of professionalism, patriotism and operational excellence during the exercise. Compared to 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 of Gashua, Yobe State, who had been detained in connection with a crime. As soon as the investigation revealed that Ya’u was innocent of the alleged crime, the head of the DSS not only ordered his immediate release, but also provided him with the sum of 2 million euros to fully reintegrate into society. The Special Adviser on Security Affairs to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retd), said on the occasion that the gesture reflects a deliberate commitment by the DSS leadership to promote justice, compassion and rehabilitation. All other security agencies were urged to strive 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) has commended the DSS led by its Director General, (DG) Oluwatosin Ajayi, for the arrest of five suspects linked to the November 2025 abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State. According to the president of the association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, people of good conscience should not only criticize government when it fails to live up to expectations, but should also recognize positive results whenever they occur. Many Nigerians are on the same page as Reverend Hayab because insecurity has become the most dangerous existential threat in our society today. Criminals and those involved in the supply of weapons must be identified and held accountable for their actions.
The entire nation is therefore satisfied that the DSS and its visionary DG are using intelligence gathering and ballistic analysis to illuminate the infamous network that is giving oxygen to insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and all forms of criminals plaguing Nigeria. All well-meaning citizens look with hope to further complaints and prosecutions, especially now that many of those involved in the deadly attacks in some parts of the country have been arrested. In particular, we salute the DSS for its leadership role in the arrest and prosecution of those who attacked the Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi State, the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as well as attacks on villagers in Yelwata, Benue State.
Fortunately, the government also joined in praising the DSS for its exemplary diligence and commitment to duty. As if to underline that the wave of individual, group and community appreciation for service has followed, President Tinubu himself formally congratulated Ajayi for the accolades he continues to receive. As for the IPI, Tinubu, a long-time media owner, proudly welcomed the recognition of Ajayi as a champion of press freedom. The IPI award is very significant because it is unusual for media and security agencies to work together in developing societies. It is noteworthy 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 strong engagement with the civilian population.”
On its part, the Kogi State Government has found reason to formally extol the leadership qualities of the DSS boss. In its letter of commendation, Kogi State stressed that the state expected to hear that much of Ajayi’s outstanding leadership had displayed similar qualities while serving in the state before reaching the pinnacle of service. According to the Kogi State Government’s official statement, Ajayi “has served our State with uncommon distinction, diligence and professionalism. His current achievements at the national level reflect the same discipline, fairness and strategic leadership we have witnessed during his tenure in Kogi: calm disposition, intellectual depth, respect for institutional processes and steadfast commitment to national security without compromising citizens’ rights and freedom of the press.”
This article joins Ajayi’s many supporters in applauding the excellence and innovations he has brought in transforming 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 continue to serve as a weak link in the national security chain. The intelligence collected and shared by the DSS with other bodies must no longer be wasted. It is indeed painful to remember that the 2022 Kuje prison break occurred because intelligence shared by the DSS was ignored by the relevant agencies, leading to the attackers releasing 879 of the 994 inmates on site.
Another group that needs to be warned today is DSS personnel across the country. They must ensure that they do not derogate from the high reputation that Ajayi has built since his appointment. Officers who are still mired in the old practice of business as usual have enough signals to change or resign, remembering that one of the first things Ajayi did when he took office was to fire 115 employees whose records revealed several infractions: bribery, diversion of funds meant for operations, falsification of credentials, leaking of security information to unauthorized sources at home and abroad, etc. Those privileged to serve in the DSS at this time have an obligation to keep the flag flying high as a service positioned to lead others due to its special nature: intelligence gathering and evidence preservation. If we followed Ajayi’s promise to employ world-class graduates, the excellence of DSS would have no limits.
