The state security service (SSS) also known as department of security service (DSS) is the foremost domestic intelligence agency in Nigeria.
The DSS main responsibity lies in intelligence gathering within the country and the protection of senior official citizens especially the executive.
This post will bring to you Department Of State Services (DSS) functions, achievements and activities and some other important facts.
Weapons and Equipment Used By DSS
Some Years Back the typical issue assault rifles used by SSS Combat Operatives/Security Protection Officers (S.P.O) were the IMI Tavor Tar-21 assault rifle produced by Israeli Military Industries and the FN P90 personal protection weapon, FN F2000 assault rifle, both manufactured by FN Herstal;[17] these rifles replace the Uzi as the primary assault weapon of the SSS. Operatives also use various side arms and pistols from a number of manufacturers including Beretta, Glock, and Browning.
The agency has also deployed van mounted backscatter X-ray screeners from Basix Technologies for detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) due to an upsurge in bombing incidents arising from an Islamist insurgency in the north east of Nigeria. In this counter terrorism role, the agency also uses mobile IED jammers for VIP protection in public spaces like stadiums and in a mobile configuration for use in convoys.
Directors General of the SSS
Directors General of the SSS
Colonel Abdullahi Mohammed (DG NSO) 1976–1979 (October)
Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi (DG NSO) 1979 (October) – 1983 (November)
Ambassador Mohammed Lawal Rafindadi (DG NSO) 1984 (January) – 1985 (August)
Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo 1986 (June) – 1990 (September)
Chief Albert Horsfall 1990 (September) – 1992 (October)
Chief Peter Nwaoduah 1992 (October) – 1998
Colonel Kayode Are (Rtd) 1999 – 2007 (August)
Afakriya Gadzama 2007 (August) – 2010 (September)
Ita Ekpeyong 2010 (September) – 2015 (July)
Lawal Musa Daura 2015 (July) – Present
Mission
The DSS is charged with protecting and defending the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to both federal and state law-enforcement organs. The DSS is also charged with the protection of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, State Governors, their immediate families, other high ranking government officials, past presidents and their spouses, certain candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, and visiting foreign heads of state and government.
Successes and failures
The SSS has been practically successful in executing its primary internal security responsibility. The agency in its early day was recognized for the arrest of the Egyptian bomber Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq in 1993 while he was trying to enter Nigeria through the Nigeria-Benin republic border. Rezaq was wanted by the United States for leading the bombing of an Egypt Air plane for the Abu Nidal group in 1985 he was subsequently rendered to the United States after an official request was received from the State Department.
In October 2010, the SSS intercepted a large cache of arms and ammunition originating from Iran at the Apapa port in lagos; this in spite of a UN arms embargo on Iran. The arms which included artillery rockets, shells and mortars were concealed in thirteen containers falsely declared as “building materials”, it was alleged that Nigeria was being used as a transhipment destination while Gambia was the final destination for the arms.
The SSS has been criticised for allowing Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, the “underpants bomber”, to board Northwest airlines flight from Lagos despite his father having previously warned security officials of his Sons radical views on America. In its defence, the SSS said it was not informed by Mr. Mutallab’s father of his sons alleged radical beliefs, the agency said that Mr. Mutallab’s father had actually spoken with officials at the United States Embassy in Abuja and also sought the help of a past Nigerian National Security Adviser. The SSS held that the American authorities did not share the information that Mr. Mutallab senior had given them and the former National Security Adviser had also not contacted the agency hence their inability to act on information they did not possess.