Since the appointment of Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in August 2024, he has continued to pursue reforms aimed at removing the activities of the agency from the floodlights. When, upon his appointment, he abolished the information directorate of the Service, many thought he was terminating the agency’s attachment to self-glorification. Ajayi saw the need to quickly rein in the publicity stunts embraced by his predecessors who joined in appointing spokesmen and women to have their activities gain traction.
United For Country
The DSS and the media may be diametrically opposed to each other, but must find a nexus for their operations. While the media is on the hunt for information to disseminate and thereby empower citizens, especially on verifiable facts, including raising the curtains over behind-the-scenes plotting, the DSS is in the business of shielding information from the public in order to keep the citizenry secure from the destructive activities of criminals. They are predominantly engaged to be ahead of men and women whose stock in trade is unleashing mayhem on peace-loving citizens.
Before his appointment, the relationship between security agencies and the media was not in the best of terms, with a no-love lost status between the secret police and the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Instances abound where the overzealousness of security personnel had attempted to introduce sourness in the cordial relationship between the DSS and the media. Past efforts to rein in over-jealous media practitioners turned out a sort of catharsis that often leads to a more enhanced cordiality that is needed. In the past, not even the elevation of the DSS Public Affairs Department into a Directorate has improved the bond for harmonious performance.
Returning To Yesterday
When last year the DSS boss spoke at an event organised by Nigeria’s chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), he left no one in doubt on the need for collaborative efforts between the media and the security organ. Emphasising on the differences between the pen profession and those mandated with the task of securing citizens, attempts at deepening and sustaining democracy sometimes comes with great cost with the media in a bid to deepen and sustain democracy that sometimes come under attacks from the treachery of the political class that is geared towards attaining political victory at all cost.
In a calculative move to return to the past when the DSS was actually the secret police that it was, the Service was said to have been found worthy of what they were called upon to. As a security agency, Ajayi is walking the path of improving the relationship between his officers and other security agencies, including the media. With the new focus aimed at boosting the morale of operatives, the newly appointed leader is not ready to let down the gauntlet in re-aligning the thrust of the agency, including introducing new measures to protect national security, while encouraging respect for civil liberties and the rule of law.
True to its training, the DSS has embraced the secrecy known for its operational guidelines. The story of the past when there was a complete absence in inter-agency synergy and collaboration. With emphasis on sharing inter-agency intelligence, through the collaborative efforts of the security agency, the DSS boss is always in constant touch with other security agencies, thereby creating synergy in building stronger institutions.
The refusal to share the intelligence report that once constituted the bane of insecurity gave way as the DSS under Ajayi changed style. The recent capture of a large cache of arms in Zamfara State, following the sharing of intelligence reports, has slowly but assuredly confirmed that yesterday’s feat can still be repeated. Governor Lawal Dauda of Zamfara State, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has commended the leadership of the DSS for its sterling performance in terms of sharing crucial intelligence with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Friendly Relationship
Recently, the DSS was caught up on the wrong side of media reporting. The report had to do with a news report in which the DSS was said to have stormed the complex of the Lagos State House of Assembly, amidst the rumoured comeback bid of sacked Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. When the dust finally settled, it turned out that the secret police were invited by the deputy clerk of the House, following fears that the impeached Speaker was set to storm the House. Fearing that security could be breached, DSS personnel were deployed to the complex to handle any fallout in order to maintain the peace.
For a relationship to endure the curves of time, both the DSS and the media must resolve to work together for the mutual benefit of the nation. Since Ajayi was appointed, he has enjoyed tremendous goodwill from the media and has reached out to critical stakeholders in cementing a relationship that would stand the test of time.
To walk through the staircase of collaboration that is now the focus of the new DSS under Ajayi, emphasis must be on harmonious working relationships for the overall good of our fellow citizens.
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