Some operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have begun lobbying influential Nigerians to secure postings as personal security details, following the recent withdrawal of police escorts for VIPs nationwide.
President Bola Tinubu had on November 24 ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs and politicians as part of efforts to address the rising wave of insecurity, including increased cases of kidnapping in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and other parts of northern Nigeria.
In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed that operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) take over VIP protection from the police.
Three days after the announcement, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed the withdrawal of 11,566 personnel previously assigned to VIPs, noting they had been redeployed to bolster policing in crime-ridden communities.
Saturday Punch gathered that since the police recall, prominent individuals have turned to the NSCDC and private security firms for protection. Meanwhile, some DSS operatives have reportedly approached these VIPs directly, offering themselves as alternatives.
A top executive at a Federal Government revenue agency in Lagos said DSS officers known to him had visited twice, asking him to request their deployment from their state director.
The official said, “The policemen attached to me were withdrawn last week, and I was considering getting men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“But these DSS officers are showing up and presenting themselves as alternatives. They came here twice to request that I speak with their state director so they can be deployed here as my new security details. They are known persons to me, so they must have seen this place as a juicy area.”
Asked whether he would consider the request, he replied, “I am not sure. The reason being that what is the total number of the DSS?”
Religious Leader Also Approached — Aide
In Osogbo, Osun State, an aide to a prominent businessman and religious leader confirmed that DSS officers had shown interest in taking over escort duties after police withdrawal.
“I know that some DSS have got across to Baba’s children, telling them to speak with him so he can influence their deployment to him. They want to replace the policemen who have been withdrawn,” the aide said.
A senior DSS officer who is aware of the moves told Saturday Punch that most of the operatives making such efforts are junior personnel.
“The new rule under the current DG is that anybody above Level 13 should not be deployed to VIPs except to the governor or the State House in Abuja. The DG has eradicated arbitrary deployment. So, those seeking to be attached to the VIPs now may be engaging in a wild goose chase,” the officer stated.
VIP Protection Part Of DSS Duties — Officer
Another DSS operative noted that while the agency has the legal mandate to provide VIP protection, desperation among some officers is unnecessary.
He said, “There is an element of truth in every rumour. That some officers are lobbying to be deployed to VIPs after the withdrawal of police may be true.
“However, it is wrong to assume that attaching DSS personnel to VIPs is out of place. No. We have the statutory responsibility to protect VIPs. But the deployment of any officer will follow all established protocols, which are not for public consumption. So, those eyeing ‘juicy’ postings or deployment to highly placed VIPs should remember that it is not automatic.”
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