The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the Service is organising protests in Sokoto State.
The Service said the directive was issued by its Director-General in deference to Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), despite describing the allegation as inconsistent with its operations.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DSS said its operatives had been providing security protection to political actors across party lines, citing recent interventions involving ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, and New Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
According to the Service, its operatives deployed to protect Daniya evacuated him to safety when he was attacked in Sokoto on October 31, 2026.
It said two of its personnel were assaulted during the incident and were still receiving treatment in hospital.
The DSS added that Daniya personally contacted the State Director of the Sokoto Command to appreciate the operatives’ intervention and subsequently requested additional reinforcement from the Service.
The agency also cited its arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, for threatening to attack Obi.
It said Steven was prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.
The Service argued that its interventions to protect political actors from different parties contradicted Atiku’s allegation, warning that such claims could demoralise operatives risking their lives in the line of duty.
The DSS also referenced a similar allegation by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the Service of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
It said it appreciated the police for conducting a swift investigation, which produced a preliminary report attributing the incident to an altercation, as well as the arrest of 11 suspects.
The Service said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not dissipate energy on the matter.
It, however, reaffirmed its commitment to accountability under the present Director-General.
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