Of Nigeria's Department Of State Services (DSS) And Human Rights Abuses (2)

 

 

The following international organizations have condemned the Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) in strong terms for its illegal actions and atrocities in Nigeria:

1. Amnesty International: 

It has repeatedly criticized the DSS for human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, suppression of dissents, and lack of empathy when dealing with victims. 

2. Human Rights Watch:

It has documented DSS' involvement in human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

3. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP): 

It has partnered with Amnesty International to condemn DSS' actions, including the invasion of SERAP's office. 

4. ECOWAS Court of Justice: 

It has ruled against Nigeria for human rights abuses, including the EndSARS protests.

These organizations have highlighted the need for accountability and reform within the DSS. The international community has repeatedly urged successive Nigerian Governments to investigate and prosecute DSS officials responsible for human rights abuses.  

Some of the envisaged functions of  DSS include:

• Counter-terrorism and espionage:

The DSS agency has the responsibility to detect, investigate, and prevent espionage, subversion, terrorism, sabotage, treason, sedition, and separatist agitations. 

• National security advice:

The DSS should provide timely advice to the government on national security interests.

• Intelligence gathering, sharing, and analysis:

The Federal Government requires the DSS to widen its tentacles to gather necessary intelligence useful for the security of the country. Unfortunately, the DSS has been criticized for inadequate intelligence-gathering and analysis. Power struggles within the agency and between other security agencies hinder effective intelligence-gathering and sharing. Insufficient funding and resources may have limited DSS' capacity to detect and prevent terrorism, banditry, and subversive activities. 

• And others.   

 One of the functions of the DSS is to counter terrorism and espionage by detecting, preventing, and investigating threats, espionage, subversion, sabotage, terrorism, separatist agitations, treasonable felony, and sedition. The DSS also has a responsibility to present or provide quality advice to the Government on national security interests. It is also required constitutionally to perform other duties assigned to it, and to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure national security and stability. 

Against this backdrop, however, the DSS has been criticized for inadequate intelligence-gathering, sharing, and analysis. The bourgeoning rise of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria gives credence to the grim fact that Nigerian security agencies, including the DSS, has not lived up to their expectations in the national security agenda. Rather than achieving peace, we witness a rising tide of terrorism and banditry in all the latitudes of Nigeria. Some of the notable terrorist and banditry activities in Nigeria include:

• Boko Haram Insurgency (2009-present):  Boko Haram, an Islamist radicalized extremist group, launched an armed rebellion against Nigerian Government, leading to widespread violence and displacement of vulnerable rural communities, especially in Plateau and Benue States. Presently, over 5 million Christians are displaced in those two States alone. These victims are wallowing in poverty and hunger. They are dressed in rags and are begging for food like refugees right in their own country -- Nigeria. Government has done nothing to assist this vulnerable people.

• Banditry in the North-East and North-West of Nigeria (2010-present):

 Bandit groups, some with alleged ties to jihadist organizations, such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Lakurawa Jihadist have carried out some attacks, including killings of Christians, burning of Churches, displacement of local dwellers especially in Jos and Benue States, kidnappings, rape, and others.

• Boko Haram Attacks: 

2014: Chibok Schoolgirls Kidnapping 

2018: Dapchi Schoolgirls Kidnapping 

2020: Kankara Schoolboys Kidnapping 

• ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) Attacks

2021: Attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State

2022: Attacks on Nigerian Military Bases and Villages

• Bandit Attacks: 

2021: Attacks on Papiri Village, Niger State, killing over 50 people 

2022: Attack on Woro Village, Kwara State, killing over 160 people, mostly Christians

Other notable incidents include: 

2011: Abuja Police Headquarters bombing

2012: Jos bombings and,

2017: Mubi Mosque bombing. 

Terrorist and banditry activities in Nigeria from 2022 to 2026 have been quite intense. Here are some notable incidents: 

• 2025 Massacre: In June, 2025, a deadly attack was launched on Yelwata community in Benue State, killing not less than 3,000 Christians, and other hundreds seriously wounded. Nine men were charged with terrorism-related offences for the attack . However, up till this moment, nobody has heard anything about it again. It is possible that the alleged culprits have bribed their ways out as usual. 

• Kwara and Katsina States Attacks: In February, 2026, gunmen killed over 170 (all believed to be Christians) in Woro Village, Kwara State, and 21 people killed in Katsina State, too. Both attackers were radicalized Fulani jihadists who had been preaching their gospel of "death" in that locality. 

• Boko Haram and ISWAP Activities:

Boko Haram and ISWAP have been responsible for several attacks, including kidnappings, bombings, rape, and forced conversion to Islam. In 2025, Boko Harams' renewed offensives led to a significant civilian casualties and displacements. 

• Banditry: Bandit groups have been active in North-West of Nigeria, carrying out mass kidnappings of Christians and attacks on villages. All these terrible incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. Nobody can stop these invasions easily any longer. 

• The kidnappings in Niger, Sokoto, and other northern States are a major concern. In Niger State, around 376 victims are still being held captive by terrorists. It is also possible that some of them might have been killed with some having spent over 2 years in captivity. In Sokoto State, approximately 500 residents (all Christians), are still being held captive by armed kidnappers across 13 local government areas.

Other recent incidents are:

• Kaduna Church Abductions: 160 worshippers were kidnapped from three Churches in January, 2026, with all 166 later released because Government paid Fulani jihadists and their mentor (Sheik Ahmad Gumi), princely ransoms. It is important to mention here that all those young girls and women were thoroughly raped by the filthy and uncircumcised Fulani bandits before their release. In fact, there are cases where some women, after being released from hostages, go back home only to realize that they have been infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If this happens, what would their husbands or parents of the victims do? This experience is indeed harrowing and traumatic! Yet, this is the type of one Nigeria some people want us to continue with! Fulani and Yoruba people want this type of system to continue unabated to their selfish aggrandizements. They do not want Nigeria to move forward due to the ceaseless corruptions and lootings inherent in the system. Neither do they want Nigeria to split. They want us to continue with them in a country where 90% of citizens are bond slaves. No freedom of speech. No freedom of movement. No freedom of religion. No freedom of association. No freedom to life and acquisition of properties. In Lagos State, more than 4,000 duplexes belonging to the Igbos have been demolished by Lagos State Government in a desperate bid to cripple Igbo economy. What did President Tinubu do when he heard of it? Yet, this is the country we call our own. If you mention freedom, the Government will tell its brainwashed agents to clamp you into detention for as long it wishes to. If you mention secession, Government and its agents will try you without any law in the Constitution and sentence you to death sentence or life jail.  

The Fulanis and Yorubas want continuity of a failed and flawed State so that they can have access to steal federal resources, including receiving payments (ransoms) for the release of hostages. They milk the country dry to enrich themselves. Yes! Who doesn't know that? Now that Government has paid for the release of hostages in Kaduna, Gumi, Sultan of Sokoto, and Nasri El Rufai, will send another bandits in Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, or Zamfara State to strike and kidnap 400 people: men, women, and children. When that happens, Nigerian Government will pay another ransom to the Fulanis. Up till today, Government is still paying money to armed robbers and their mentors all in the name of one Nigeria! The Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police cannot subdue and crush banditry. So, what are their functions if they cannot destroy the evil people destroying Nigeria? All these things happen because both Government, Fulani elites, and Fulani bandits are one and inseparable. Mark my word, in the next 30 days, the Fulani-controlled Government will send bandits to strike again. The more they strike and kidnap Christians and rape the women, the quicker the Government will pay for the release of hostages to let peace return to the country. The more this happens, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Can President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso pay money to bandits? No. He can't. Can Egypt do it. No. It can't happen in Egypt. Can the President of Ghana kneel down to beg bastards to realize hostages? The Ghana that I know can't condescend to the terms of fools! Can South African Government pay ransoms continuously to armed robbers to release hostages? South Africa can't do it? When a man's first son or daughter is a confirmed imbecile, does he call friends and colleagues together for a party, to eat and drink that Satan has had his way in his family? No. He will cry for having a useless child. But, in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. Nigeria rejoices and welcomes evil with high ovations once money changes hand. 

Due to this persistent open unfairness in governance, the Igbos are agitating for secession or equality, only for fools to talk nonsense and clamp them in detention. If Nigeria were a good country, who on Earth would have agitated for separation? Why are the Fulanis and Yorubas sitting astride riding as a colossos on us, stealing Federal Government's resources from year to year? 

 • Niger State School Abduction: Over 300 students and their teachers were kidnapped from a Roman Catholic Church school in November, 2025, with around 100 children released. Is this happening in other African countries? If it happens, do their governments come to a round table conference to dialogue with the bandits and pay ransom for the release of hostages? Any Government that pays one kobo ( penny)  to effect the release of hostages is not capable of ruling even one family? Once a constituted federal government engages in a dialogue with armed robbers or Fulani jihadists etc, in order to bring kidnapped victims from bandits' hideouts, that action alone automatically emboldens other low-lives to do the same to earn a living. So, to me, it is wrong to do it. Government is encouraging banditry and kidnapping by paying ransoms to the dogs!

• Sokoto Bride Abduction: 

13 women, including a bride and her bridesmaids (all Christians), were kidnapped in November 2025.

• According to Intersociety, an estimated 19,100 Christian Churches have been burnt by Fulani Jihadist arsonists, and violently closed down since 2009, with an average of 1,200 Churches burnt annually. Is this right? Must Christian Churches be always burnt down by radicalized Fulani fundamentalists? 

 The DSS has a critical role in Nigeria's security, but its effectiveness has been questioned by many people both in Nigeria and abroad. Despite the counter-terrorism and intelligence-gathering mandates, terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings still persist till today. Criticism include:

• Inadequate intelligence-gathering and sharing:

Poor coordination with other agencies might hinder effective counter-terrorism efforts.

• Focus on internal repression:

Allegations of targeting innocent people and opposition groups, divert resources and attention from addressing real security threats in Nigeria.

• Lack of accountability:

Unchecked abuses and perceived biases erode trust and impede cooperation with local communities. These issues might contribute to DSS' struggles in stopping terrorism, banditry, and insecurity in Nigeria. Perceived impunity and selective justice, with actions often attributed to political or ethnic motivations.

• Ineffective counter-terrorism approach:

Despite its mandate, DSS' efforts to combat terrorism and banditry have been questioned, with many attacks still launched against innocent victims. The DSS is constitutionally supposed to gather intelligence, prevent, investigate crimes, and protect national security. In contrast, reports of the agency's excesses and cruelty have eroded trust. From all indications, citizens may even withhold important intelligence from DSS because of its cruelty and human rights violations track records. 

I have taken time to mention some terrorist activities in Nigeria, and how they affect vulnerable victims. Looking critically at the insecurity conditions of Nigeria, where are the functions and usefulness of DSS in Nigeria's security programmes? Where is the DSS' intelligence-gathering expertise, sharing, and execution? How many times has DSS foiled terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping plans in Nigeria? How many times has DSS been involved in anti-terrorism and espionage? How many times has DSS intervened and stopped Christian Churches from being burnt by agents and mentees of Sheik Ahmad Gumi and the Sokoto Caliphate? The DSS only protects President Tinubu and his family, including other popular politicians, and continuously and illegally arrest innocent people, clamping them in detention, torturing them, electrocuting them, and violently denying them of their fundamental human rights. Nigerian citizens are like rotten corpses in the eyes of Government and its agencies! We worth nothing in their sight, sincerely! 

In conclusion, the Department of State Services (DSS) has been criticized globally for prioritizing the Government's interests over citizens' rights, with infallible reports of human rights abuses, illegal detention, extrajudicial killings, torture, and other facets of inhuman activities against them. The DSS' brutal and inhuman actions have invariably led many Nigerians to believe that it is far better to fall into the hands of highway armed robbers, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and rapists than to deal with the DSS. Reason? While the highway armed robbers, terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers may kill instantly, the DSS kills gradually through torturing, hunger, electrocution, denial of justice, denial of access to medical treatment, and other inhuman methods. Therefore, I wish the international community and the US Government in particular, to do something tangible to proscribe, disband, and annul this monstrous agency called DSS. It is not useful to Nigerian citizens! It is an ill wind that blows no one good!

Please, kindly share this post with your friends and loved ones. Thank you very much. 

                  Concluded ...