The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that its operatives are organising protests in Sokoto State to create disorder and provide grounds for imposing a curfew ahead of the African Democratic Congress campaign rally.
The Service, however, said two of its operatives were injured and hospitalised while protecting the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during a mob attack on October 31, 2026.
The DSS said its operatives successfully evacuated Daniya to safety during the incident, adding that the governorship candidate later personally called the State Director of the Sokoto Command to express appreciation and request additional security reinforcement.
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In a statement published on its official X handle, the Service said Atiku’s allegation was inconsistent with its operations to protect political parties and their candidates.
The DSS said the allegation could demoralise its operatives, who risk their lives in the discharge of their duties, but added that the Director-General had directed an investigation in deference to the former vice-president.
“The attention of the DG Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to allegation by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji ATIKU ABUBAKAR that, DSS is organising protests in Sokoto State,” the statement read.
It added, “For the Records, DSS Operatives deployed to Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate; Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when attacked in Sokoto. Two (2) DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital.
“The governorship candidate called personally to appreciate the State Director of Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.”
The Service said its operations to protect political parties were at variance with Atiku’s allegation.
“Though these operations to protect all Political Parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman,” it stated.
The DSS also recalled its handling of an allegation by the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, that the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
It said it appreciated the police for conducting a swift investigation and providing a preliminary report which attributed the incident to an “altercation”.
According to the DSS, the police also arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident.
“The Service also use this medium to reference a similar allegation by AAC Presidential Candidate Omoyele SOWORE that, the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
“In this regard, we thank the Police for swift investigation and a preliminary Report on the cause of the incident; ‘altercation’, coupled with the arrest of eleven (11) suspects. We await the outcome of Police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter,” the statement said.
The Service further cited its prosecution of a man, Monday Udeme Steven, who it said was arrested in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, for threatening to attack the National Democratic Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The DSS said Steven was prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and was currently serving a two-year prison sentence.
The Service concluded by reaffirming its commitment to accountability under its current leadership.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement concluded.
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