DSS expose plans of smear campaign against DG, key officials
By Nasir Dambatta, in Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has uncovered plans by persons it described as “disgruntled elements within and outside the government” to sponsor smear campaigns against Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Director-General of State Security Services, SSS.
Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja disclosed this in a statement Tuesday.
Afunanya said the Service had been monitoring the development, even as he called on members of the public to be “wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.”
The statement reads in extenso: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered plans by some politicians and disgruntled elements within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against the DGSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc and his key officials over the Service’s uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
“Those behind the plot 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 elections to hold.”
