By Our Correspondent
The Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria’s secret police, has dismissed 115 personnel from its ranks for alleged involvement in unscrupulous activities as part of an ongoing internal reform and integrity drive within the agency.
In a statement released on Monday, the DSS said the dismissals were the outcome of an extensive internal review aimed at restoring professionalism, discipline, and public confidence in the service. The agency noted that the affected officers were found guilty of various forms of misconduct that violated the DSS code of conduct and ethical standards.
The decision underscores the agency’s zero-tolerance stance toward corruption, abuse of office, and any activity that undermines national security or public trust. The DSS emphasized that maintaining integrity within its ranks remains central to its mission of safeguarding the nation against internal threats.
This action demonstrates the service’s firm commitment to discipline, accountability, and integrity in the discharge of duties. The service will continue to sanitize its operations to ensure that only credible and professional personnel are retained, the statement read.
The DSS also cautioned Nigerians to be wary of individuals claiming to be serving officers, especially those previously dismissed. It said some former personnel have been found posing as active agents and using fake identification to extort or defraud unsuspecting citizens.
Members of the public are advised not to transact any business with persons claiming DSS affiliation without proper verification, the agency warned. It further encouraged citizens to report suspicious individuals or activities through official communication channels, assuring that all reports would be treated with confidentiality.
Security analysts say the sweeping dismissal signals a renewed effort by the DSS leadership to reform the agency and enhance operational efficiency. The internal cleansing is seen as part of broader national security reforms aimed at strengthening accountability within Nigeria’s intelligence and law enforcement institutions.
While the DSS did not provide specific details of the offenses committed by the sacked officers, sources within the service hinted that the infractions ranged from corruption and abuse of privilege to involvement in criminal collaborations that compromised official integrity.
The service also revealed that the full list of affected personnel has been forwarded to relevant security databases to prevent misuse of DSS credentials in the future.
Public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions has often been undermined by allegations of corruption, rights violations, and abuse of power. The latest action by the DSS is therefore viewed as a step toward rebuilding trust and ensuring transparency in the nation’s security architecture.
By taking this decisive step, the agency has reaffirmed its internal disciplinary mechanisms and sent a strong message that no officer is above the law, regardless of rank or position.
