By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The All Northern Youth Forum has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, MON, for what it described as reforms in the Service, improved personnel welfare and intelligence-driven operations.
The forum, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu S. Lere, described Ajayi as “the quiet architect of Nigeria’s security renaissance,” saying his leadership had strengthened the DSS amid threats from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage.
It said the nature of intelligence operations often made the achievements of the DSS difficult to publicise, noting that the effectiveness of the Service was frequently measured by attacks prevented, criminal networks disrupted and lives saved without public knowledge.
The forum particularly commended Ajayi’s reported focus on personnel welfare, saying some officers had informally described him as “Welfare Pro Max” because of measures allegedly introduced to improve their working and living conditions.
According to Lere, the measures included improved medical facilities, crèche centres, residential accommodation, transit facilities and enhanced posting-related allowances.
The forum also claimed that the DSS leadership had provided additional support to families of personnel who died in active service, including housing, educational assistance for children and employment opportunities for qualified relatives.
It further praised the Service under Ajayi for what it described as an emphasis on discipline, professionalism and accountability, saying personnel accused of corruption or misconduct were subjected to disciplinary procedures in line with established regulations.
On social interventions, the group alleged that young Nigerians from disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans, had benefited from employment opportunities, while retired personnel had also received support.
It also attributed humanitarian interventions to the DSS leadership, including assistance to widows, orphanages and charitable organisations.
The forum said such interventions extended to traditional and religious institutions, citing reported support for Muslim and Christian communities and the construction of an Islamic school and a school for Christian children in Kaduna State as examples of initiatives it said promoted religious harmony.
On security operations, the group said the DSS had sustained intelligence-led efforts against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage across the country.
It cited reported operations in the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and Niger Delta, including the disruption of criminal and terrorist networks, arrests of suspects and recovery of arms and ammunition.
The forum also referenced reported intelligence operations in Kaduna State, which it said had disrupted bandit networks and led to arrests and recovery of firearms, ammunition and other materials.
It further cited reported operations against Ansaru elements in Kogi and Kwara states, as well as efforts to tackle violent groups and suspected terrorist activities in other parts of the country.
The forum urged Nigerians to support the DSS and other security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence and cooperating with lawful authorities.
Lere said while constructive criticism remained necessary in a democracy, genuine achievements of security institutions should also be recognised.
He said the sacrifices of security personnel deserved public appreciation, stressing that stronger collaboration between citizens and security agencies remained critical to building a safer Nigeria.
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