See security agents as ‘friends not fiends’ – DSS boss urges Nigerians, as Alaaje, Olojoku eulogize DG’s service delivery
Yinka ADETUNJI
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The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has admonished Nigerians to see security and intelligence organizations as allies and not as adversaries in the task of securing the society.
Ajayi regretted this is the perception people hold about security agencies averring this limits their efficiency and effectiveness especially in intelligence gathering.
He made this observation at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin Wednesday.
Speaking on the topic, “The roles of the DSS in security, peacekeeping and national integration,” Ajayi, represented by the Deputy Director General, DSS Mr. Patrick Chukwu Ikenweiwe, noted, “The present situation where Security and Intelligence Organizations are looked upon as fiends rather than friends must be checkmated as this affects the quality and quantity of intelligence produced and by extension impact peace building and national integration.”
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He thus charged that “strengthening of institutions like intelligence agencies, re-orientation of roles, a rethink on recruitment and staffing must take place.”
Laying emphasis on this, Ajayi, who 19 years ago masterminded the “covert’ arrest of Ralph Nwazuruike who then led the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) the precursor of Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), advocated that first class graduates only should henceforth be enlisted in the DSS to enhance its operational capabilities and deepen national security.
He identified other challenges facing the agency aside from proper coordination with the public, which include disregard for intelligence reports without caring a hoot about potential dangers, contention with legal, human rights and jurisdictional constraints, inter-agency rivalries among others.
Welcoming guests to the occasion Prof Jawondo Ibrahim Abdulganiyu, Director CPSC, disclosed that the centre established in 2008 has as core mandate, production of manpower to “tackle the various crises and conflicts of resource management confronting Nigerian communities and the globe at large.”
Prof Jawondo saying the centre has a history of alliance with the DSS eulogized Ajayi for his “aptitude.”
Alaaje of Aaje Ologo in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, HRH Oba Reuben Adesina Amao Osunbiyi I, JP fsi, a retired Deputy Director of DSS, in a goodwill message at the event commended the DG of DSS noting that things are now taking greater shape under his leadership, “which is testament to his proactiveness and competence.”
Oba Amao recalled that Ajayi has long before becoming Director General of DSS been supporting the cause of the vulnerable in the society such as widows and orphans. “I founded a widowhood foundation after retiring, DG Ajayi is one of those supporting the NGO with care and gifts.” while seeking prayer for him.
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Alaaje dwelled on character and integrity building as cornerstone of a fair society positing, “Even a corrupt person will prefer to put a person of integrity in a position of trust. So, let’s work assiduously to build impeccable character.”
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Olojoku of Ijoku in Kwara state, HRH Oba Rasak Afolab, also in a goodwill message urged that traditional rulers be incorporated into the security architecture especially in the grassroots asserting they are critical stakeholders who know their communities inside out, a point he noted is valuable in security enhancement.
Kwara state governor, Alhaj Abdulrahman Abdulrasak (represented by his Commissioner for Solid Minerals), Prof Egbewole Wahab (Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin), Dns. A.A. Alade (a retired Deputy Director of DSS) and other retired DSS officers, Michael Ogaro fss, youth corps members, officials of the Nigerian Customs Services, Federal Road Safety Corps (RSC), students and so on were part of the audience.
