The Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, stated that it has uncovered plans by some politicians within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against its Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and key officials over the Service’s uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
Dr Peter Afunanya, the spokesman of the Service, explained that those behind the plot have engaged civil society and non-governmental organisations to stage rallies, road-shows and press conferences in order to discredit Bichi, while adding that the sections of the media have also 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,” the DSS said.