Arewa youth hail DSS DG Ajayi over security reforms, personnel welfare

The All Northern Youth Forum has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, MON, for what it described as transformative leadership, improved personnel welfare and intelligence-driven operations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.

The group, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu S. Lere, described Ajayi as “the quiet architect of Nigeria’s security renaissance,” saying his leadership had contributed to strengthening the DSS at a time the country was confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage.

According to the forum, the nature of intelligence work makes many achievements of the DSS difficult to publicise because its effectiveness is often measured by attacks prevented, criminal networks disrupted and lives saved without public knowledge. It said the successes that had entered the public domain were enough to demonstrate the strategic importance of the Service to national security.

The forum particularly praised Ajayi’s reported emphasis on personnel welfare, saying his approach had earned him the informal description of “Welfare Pro Max” among some personnel. It claimed that his administration had introduced measures aimed at improving the working and living conditions of officers, including better medical facilities, crèche centres, residential accommodation, transit facilities and enhanced posting-related allowances.

Lere also said the DSS leadership had demonstrated concern for personnel who died in active service, alleging that families of fallen officers had received support beyond their statutory entitlements.

Such assistance, he said, reportedly included housing, employment opportunities for qualified relatives, educational support for children and remembrance programmes to honour the sacrifices of deceased personnel.

The group further commended the DSS DG for what it described as a strong commitment to discipline, professionalism and accountability.

It said personnel found culpable of corruption, misconduct or actions capable of bringing the Service into disrepute were subjected to disciplinary procedures in accordance with established regulations.

The forum also praised what it described as Ajayi’s efforts to promote social inclusion, claiming that deserving young Nigerians from disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans, had benefited from employment opportunities, while retired personnel had also received support.

Beyond conventional security operations, the group said Ajayi had embraced a non-kinetic approach to national security through humanitarian interventions.

According to Lere, widows across Nigeria had reportedly benefited from financial assistance for small businesses, while orphanages and charitable institutions had also received support.

The forum also attributed humanitarian initiatives to the DSS leadership involving traditional and religious institutions, including reported support for Muslim and Christian communities. It specifically cited the construction of an Islamic school and a school for Christian children in Kaduna State as examples of efforts it said promoted religious harmony and national unity.

On intelligence operations, the group said the DSS under Ajayi had sustained efforts against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, separatist violence, organised crime and economic sabotage.

It cited reported operations in the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and Niger Delta, including the disruption of terrorist and criminal networks, arrests of suspected operatives and efforts against arms trafficking and crude oil theft.

The forum specifically referenced intelligence-led operations in Kaduna State, which it said had disrupted bandit networks and resulted in arrests and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other incriminating materials.

It also cited reported operations against Ansaru operatives in Kogi and Kwara states and efforts against violent groups and suspected terrorist activities in other parts of the country.

The All Northern Youth Forum urged Nigerians to support the DSS and other security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence, rejecting criminality and cooperating with lawful authorities.

Lere said the sacrifices of security personnel deserved public appreciation, stressing that while constructive criticism remained necessary in a democracy, genuine achievements should also be recognised as part of efforts to strengthen national institutions and build a safer Nigeria.