Behind The Scenes: DSS Officers Court Influentials For Protection Contracts

President Bola Tinubu had, on November 24, ordered the removal of police personnel attached to politicians and other high-profile individuals, citing the need to strengthen internal security and curb rising incidents of kidnapping and violent crime, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria such as Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.

In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should assume responsibility for VIP protection previously handled by the police.

Shortly after the directive, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed that 11,566 officers had been withdrawn from VIP duties and redeployed to boost security in communities grappling with high crime rates.

Findings indicate that many prominent individuals have since sought protection from the NSCDC or private security companies. At the same time, some DSS operatives are said to have directly approached VIPs, presenting themselves as alternative security options.

A senior official of a Federal Government revenue agency in Lagos disclosed that DSS officers familiar to him had visited on two occasions, urging him to request their deployment through their state director.

“The policemen assigned to me were withdrawn last week, and I was already considering engaging NSCDC personnel,” he said. “But these DSS officers have been coming around, offering themselves as replacements and asking me to speak to their state director so they can be posted here. Since they know me, they probably see this place as attractive.”

When asked if he would comply with their request, the official expressed hesitation, questioning the size and capacity of the DSS to take on such roles widely.

Similarly, an aide to a well-known businessman and religious leader in Osogbo, Osun State, confirmed that DSS operatives had also made overtures following the police withdrawal.

“Some DSS officers have reached out to Baba’s children, asking them to speak to him so he can facilitate their deployment as his security detail,” the aide said. “They want to step in where the police have been removed.”

However, a senior DSS officer familiar with the situation noted that such lobbying efforts are largely being driven by junior officers and may not yield results under current agency rules.

“The directive under the present Director-General is that officers above Level 13 are not to be assigned to VIP protection except for governors or the State House in Abuja. Arbitrary deployments have been stopped. So, many of those pushing for VIP postings may be chasing shadows,” the officer explained.

Another DSS operative acknowledged that while the agency is legally empowered to provide VIP protection, lobbying by officers is unnecessary.

“There may be some truth to the reports that a few officers are seeking VIP attachments after the police withdrawal,” he said. “But it is incorrect to suggest that DSS protecting VIPs is improper. That is part of our statutory duty. However, all deployments follow strict internal procedures, and anyone expecting an automatic or ‘juicy’ posting should know it doesn’t work that way.”