…Warns Public Against Fraudsters
The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the dismissal of 115 personnel as part of its ongoing internal reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism and integrity within the service.
The development, confirmed in an official statement released on Monday, marks one of the most extensive internal purges in the agency’s recent history. The DSS also published the identities of those dismissed and cautioned the public against engaging with them for any official dealings.
“As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services (DSS), the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period,” the statement read.
The secret police further reiterated earlier warnings regarding two individuals — Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin — accused of impersonating DSS officers to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
“In addition to earlier disclaimers on the duo of Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, the Service finds it necessary to warn citizens of the fraudulent activities of some of these persons still posing as DSS personnel,” it stated.
The DSS urged Nigerians to be cautious and avoid any official dealings with the dismissed operatives, noting that their names have been made publicly available for transparency.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any official dealing with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service.
For clarity, the identities of the affected persons have been published on the website of the Service (https://dss.gov.ng/media/more/4).”
The agency also provided official contact channels for verification, complaints, or security-related inquiries via 09088373515 or email at [email protected].
The sweeping dismissal comes amid heightened tension within Nigeria’s security architecture, following reports of an alleged coup attempt. Although the Federal Government has not confirmed or denied the reports, President Bola Tinubu last week dismissed several service chiefs in what sources described as a strategic move to “restructure and reinforce national security.”
Security watchers say the DSS purge signals a renewed effort to restore discipline, loyalty, and professionalism within the nation’s intelligence community.
