In an apparent show of distrust for Matthew Seiyefa, the Bayelsa born acting Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), President Muhammadu Buhari today appointed a replacement for him. 

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Garba Shehu, Buhari named Yusuf Bichi as the new Director General of the DSS

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in a swift reaction to the seige on the National Assembly last month by DSS operatives sacked the former DG DSS, Lawal Daura, directing him to hand over to the next most senior officer in the service, who happened to be Seiyefa. 

Speculations were rife that the President upon his resumption after his vacation in the United Kingdom would reverse Osinbajo’s decision. Lawal hails from Daura like Buhari. 

There were alleged fears in security circles that going into an election year with Seiyefa, a Bayelsan like former President Goodluck Jonathan was high security risk that may result in a repeat of the 2015 debacle. 

Jonathan had upon the death of his National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi, appointed Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former aide-de-Camp to former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, as his replacement. 

Informed sources within the security circles believe this was an error that cost him the victory at the polls. 

Buhari’s SSA, Garba Shehu’s statement is reproduced below: 

“PRESIDENT BUHARI NAMES NEW DG DSS

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The appointee is a core Secret Service operative.

He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.

Mr.  Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.

In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.

He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.

He also served as Director at State Service Academy.

Mr Bichi is married and with children.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media and Publicity)

September 13, 2018″