By Isiaka Mustapha
DSS DG, MOHAMMED YUSUF BICHI
As preparation for the 2023 general elections goes into full swing, the Director General, Department of State Services (DGSS), Mohammed Yusuf Bichi, has vowed not to allow unpatriotic elements subject Nigerians to insecurity and destruction by their illicit conducts.
This, according to him would help pave way for a smooth, free, fair and safe conduct of the general elections next year and beyond.
Bichi made the pledge during the unveiling of a book in his honour titled: “For The Records: A Compendium of Y.M. Bichi’s Legacy At The DSS” to mark end of his first term as DGSS, Wednesday night at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja.
The book on the achievements of the DGSS, who was recently re-appointed for a renewed term of four years, was edited by the DSS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Peter Afunanya has its foreword written by a former DSS Director, Chief Peter C. Nwaoduah.
Bichi, who appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his re-appointment, said: “The task ahead of us is quiet enormous but we have increased the platforms of the service and we have been able to take the service to the next level.
“Our operations are to be technology driven and by professionals. We are ready to face the security challenges facing the country. All the services rely on us for intelligence and we are not going to fail them.
“It is a commitment and definitely in the couple of days, weeks, or months all those responsible for all these insecurity will be rounded up and they will never escape.
“We computing, analyzing and building our data on people who may want to undermine the security of this nation and our democracy. We have taken the result and we will do it. People know our capability; they know that when the DSS says they will do this, they will surely do it.”
The DGSS recalled that he had promised to ensure his second coming to the service was not regretted; not to misappropriate the service funds; as well as to develop a workforce that was highly motivated, well equipped, highly trained and mobile to carry out assignments professionally within the practice of democracy and respect for human rights.
He maintained that he hadn’t dishonoured the promises he made on assumption of office, adding that though he was conservative and analogue he had discovered it was a new era and they service has achieved a lot in terms of operations.
“We have achieved a lot in terms of operations though we don’t have to go on air to say it because we operated within the concept of need-to-know.
“I don’t take credit for anything we have achieved instead I give the credit to others. Achievement in the book is a contribution of all service men and management,” he said.
Senior officers of the service, including retired directors, poured encomium on the DGSS, who they described as knowledgeable but humble, patient, compassionate, and committed to good leadership.