DSS raises the alarm over plot to smear DG, top officials

The Department of State Services has revealed that some politicians have concluded plans to sponsor “smear campaigns” against the DSS Director-General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and other top officers.

The Star recalls that there was an altercation between Bichi’s wife, Aisha, and the governorship candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Abba Yusuf, at the VIP lounge gate of the Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday, January 8.

The governorship candidate’s convoy allegedly caused traffic congestion which prevented the DSS DG’s wife’s convoy from gaining access to the VIP lounge.

However, the Service, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, noted that those behind the “smear campaigns” against Bichi have engaged Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations “to not only sustain but stage further rallies, road-shows, and press conferences and use the occasions to discredit Bichi.”

“Also, sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries, and features to malign the DG, his family, and select officials of the Service.

“The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment, and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties.

“However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated Leadership and Management.

“The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.

“It restates its unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general election to hold,” Afunanya added.

The Star