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The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that it plans to sponsor protests to disrupt his campaign kickoff in Sokoto State.
The service maintained that its operatives are committed to protecting all political parties and their candidates, describing the allegations as inconsistent with its operations.
The DSS disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie.
Naija News reports that the service, however, said its Director-General had ordered an investigation into the allegation but cautioned Atiku against making statements capable of demoralising its operatives.
According to the statement, DSS operatives deployed to protect the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, evacuated him safely during an attack on October 31, 2026,
adding that two of its operatives were assaulted during the incident and were still receiving medical treatment.
It said Daniya personally contacted the Sokoto State Director of the DSS to express appreciation and requested additional security reinforcement.
The DSS also cited its arrest of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over an alleged threat to attack the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
It said the suspect was prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.
The statement partly read, “Though these operations to protect all political parties are at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DG DSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman.”
On the allegation by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, that the DSS was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State, the service said it would await the outcome of the police investigation.
Dozie said the police had described the incident as an altercation and arrested 11 suspects in connection with it.
The DSS expressed appreciation to the police for their swift response and preliminary findings, adding that it would not dissipate unnecessary energy on the allegation.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement added.
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