By David Oladimeji
In what insiders have described as one of the most far-reaching internal overhauls in recent years, the Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed 115 of its operatives for offences ranging from misconduct, extortion, insubordination, and breaches of professional ethics.
The decision, which was approved by the Director-General of the Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, follows months of discreet internal audits, intelligence reviews, and disciplinary hearings aimed at restoring what senior officials called “the moral sanctity and professional discipline” of the nation’s secret police.
According to impeccable sources within the Service, the purge affected personnel across several state commands, including Lagos, Rivers, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Most of those affected were junior and mid-level officers who had allegedly been found wanting in operational integrity.
“The DSS cannot be seen as a body that enforces order externally while collapsing in discipline internally,” a senior DSS official, who requested anonymity, told our reporter in Abuja on Tuesday. “This exercise was necessary to send a clear message that the era of compromise and internal decay is over.”
In a statement later issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS confirmed the dismissals but declined to provide specific names or ranks of the affected officers. He described the action as “a continuation of the Service’s tradition of self-purification and institutional accountability.”
“The DSS remains committed to its core values of loyalty, integrity, and professionalism. Any staff found undermining these principles, regardless of rank or seniority, will face the full weight of internal disciplinary procedures,” Afunanya said.
Multiple sources disclosed that the dismissed officers had been under surveillance for months, following reports of alleged compromise of operations, involvement in civil disputes, and in some cases, unprofessional association with political actors. Some were also accused of leaking classified information to non-state actors.
A retired intelligence officer, Mr. Samuel Idowu, described the purge as “long overdue,” noting that the Service had, in recent years, struggled with issues of loyalty erosion and operational leaks. “The DSS has been battling both internal and external threats. Cleansing the system is part of national security renewal,” he said.
In several commands, the news of the mass dismissal reportedly sent shockwaves among personnel. Some officers were said to have burst into tears upon receiving their letters, while others quietly packed up their belongings and left the Service quarters under heavy emotional strain.
Security analysts, however, hailed the move as a bold step toward restoring public trust. “The DSS has been under public scrutiny for the conduct of some operatives, especially regarding civil protests and political events,” said Dr. Kemi Balogun, a public policy expert. “A disciplined intelligence outfit is the foundation of a stable democracy.”
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the affected personnel may challenge their dismissal through the National Industrial Court, claiming procedural irregularities and lack of fair hearing. However, DSS insiders maintain that “due process was meticulously followed.”
The internal shake-up is said to be part of a broader reform agenda approved by the DGSS, aimed at modernizing the agency’s operations, enhancing staff welfare, and improving intelligence handling in line with global standards.
Beyond punitive measures, senior officers hinted that the Service is also embarking on fresh recruitment drives and retraining exercises to infuse “new blood” and restore morale within the ranks.
As dusk fell over the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the mood was a mix of resolve and reflection. For many within Nigeria’s most powerful security institution, the message was unmistakable: the era of sacred cows is over.
“The DSS must rise above politics and personal gain,” a young operative remarked quietly as he walked past the national flag fluttering in the evening wind. “This house must clean itself before it guards the nation.”
