By Maryam Ahmadu-Suka
The All Northern Youth Forum has commended the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for reforms improved personnel welfare and strengthened intelligence-led security operations.
The forum gave the commendation in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr Nuhu Lere, on Sunday.
Lere described Ajayi as a “quiet architect of Nigeria’s security renaissance’’.
He said his leadership had come at a time the country was grappling with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage.
He said the nature of intelligence operations made it difficult for many DSS achievements to be made public.
‘’The effectiveness of the service was often reflected in attacks prevented, criminal networks disrupted and lives saved, ‘’ Lere said.
According to him, the achievements of the service that has become public demonstrate the strategic role of the DSS in protecting national security.
The general secretary also commended the DSS management for prioritising the welfare of its personnel.
He said the administration had introduced measures aimed at improving the working and living conditions of officers.
Those, he said, include medical facilities, crèche centres, residential and transit accommodation, as well as posting-related allowances.
Lere further said that families of officers who died in active service had received additional support beyond their statutory entitlements.
He said such assistance reportedly included housing, educational support for children, employment opportunities for qualified relatives and programmes to honour the sacrifices of fallen personnel.
The general secretary also praised the DSS leadership for promoting discipline, professionalism and accountability within the service.
He said personnel found culpable of corruption, misconduct or actions capable of tarnishing the image of the organisation were subjected to disciplinary procedures in line with established regulations.
Lere said the service had also demonstrated what he described as ‘’social inclusion’’ by providing opportunities for young Nigerians from disadvantaged backgrounds.
‘’This includes orphans and retired personnel have also received support‘’.
He said the DSS had complemented conventional security operations with humanitarian interventions, including assistance to widows to establish small businesses and support for orphanages and charitable organisations.
According to him, reported interventions involving traditional and religious institutions, including support for Muslim and Christian communities, has also contributed to fostering peaceful coexistence.
He cited the reported construction of an Islamic school and a school for Christian children in Kaduna State as examples of initiatives aimed at promoting religious harmony and national unity.
On security operations, Lere said the DSS had sustained intelligence-led efforts against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage across the country.
It said such operations had been recorded in the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and Niger-Delta, leading to the disruption of criminal networks and the arrest of suspected operatives.
He also cited operations targeting arms trafficking and crude oil theft, as well as reported efforts against Ansaru operatives in Kogi and Kwara states.
Lere specifically commended the service for operations in Kaduna State, which he said had disrupted bandit networks and led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other incriminating materials.
He urged Nigerians to support the DSS and other security agencies by providing credible and timely information on suspicious activities.
He also called on citizens to reject criminality and cooperate with lawful authorities, saying the sacrifices of security personnel deserved public recognition.
“Constructive criticism remains necessary in a democracy, but genuine achievements should also be recognised as part of efforts to strengthen national institutions and build a safer Nigeria,” Lere said.
