Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s intelligence community, has suggested that the department be disbanded.
His proposal is based on the alarming levels of insecurity in the country, which indicate a breakdown of the government’s traditional security framework.
Ajayi argues that it is the communities, rather than the country’s security agencies, that should serve as the first line of defence in addressing these pressing issues.
According to PUNCH, Ajayi presented his proposal in mid-February in Abuja, in front of several current and former security leaders, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, “none of whom objected to the troubling idea”.
“You cannot expect the Nigerian Army, police, and SSS to protect every Nigerian,” Ajayi stated. “That simply will not work.”
“We do expect the security agencies to fulfil their responsibilities, as outlined in the constitution, which asserts that the security and welfare of the people are the foremost duties of government.
“It is not just a secondary concern, but the primary one.
“This implies that ensuring the safety of the populace is the government’s top priority, especially at the federal level, which oversees and governs the security agencies,” the DSS chief explained.
Ajayi referred to various communities in Nigeria that have successfully defended themselves against attacks as models that the nation could emulate to combat insecurity.
“Nigerian communities have historically protected themselves, and they continue to do so, even while facing modern threats armed with sticks and cutlasses against the firearms and assault rifles often wielded by kidnappers, terrorists, or even security personnel.
“The state has a duty to safeguard its citizens, a commitment that government officials make when they take their oaths of office. However, in Nigeria, once in power, the allure of luxury and the thirst for power frequently overshadow a sense of duty.
“Let us not forget that the APC was elected in 2015 primarily due to the widespread insecurity in Nigeria, with Muhammadu Buhari pledging to leverage his military expertise to confront it.
“This means that between him and his successor, President Bola Tinubu, the APC has now held power for a decade, regrettably resulting in an even more insecure Nigeria,” the newspaper reported.
Ajayi added, “Our culture is communal.
“Why can’t we unite to fight against miscreants and charlatans?
“The elites should engage with their communities, come to us for guidance and approval, and then we can work together to confront these miscreants.”
