Following the recent row between the wife of its DG, Yusuf Bichi and the Kano state NNPP governorship candidate, Abba Yusuf, at the Aminu Kano International Airport last Sunday, the Department of State Services (DSS), says it has uncovered plans by some politicians to organize a smear campaign against its DG and other top officials.
LIB had earlier reported that Mrs. Bichi was accused of ordering the DSS operatives who were in her entourage to arrest Mr. Abba following a clash they had at the airport. It was also alleged that she ordered her security details to assault one of the aides of the Kano politician.
In an apparent reaction to the reports, the DSS in a statement released by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said the agency has uncovered plans by some politicians and “disgruntled elements” within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against him and his key officials.
According to the agency, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties, adding that it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the service and its highly dedicated leadership and management.
The statement reads;
“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.”