DSS ORDERS PROBE INTO ATIKU’S ALLEGATION OF PLANNED PROTESTS IN SOKOTO

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The Department of State Services has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the agency plans to sponsor protests in Sokoto State.

The secret police said its Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, directed the probe despite describing the allegation as inconsistent with the agency’s responsibility to protect political actors regardless of party affiliation.

Reports on Tuesday quoted Atiku as accusing the DSS leadership of recruiting protesters to cause unrest in Sokoto and create grounds for imposing a curfew that could disrupt the ADC’s campaign rally.

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However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said its operatives had rescued the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during an attack on October 31, 2026.

PHOTO: DSS logo

According to the agency, its operatives deployed to protect Daniya evacuated him to safety during the incident, while two DSS personnel who were assaulted remained in hospital receiving treatment as of Tuesday.

The Service added that Daniya personally contacted the DSS State Director in Sokoto to appreciate the agency’s intervention and request additional security support.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the All Progressives Congress and the ADC in Sokoto State exchanged accusations on Saturday over an alleged attack on the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate.

The DSS also cited the arrest and prosecution of a man, Monday Udeme Steven, in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over an alleged threat to attack the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress, Peter Obi.

The agency said Steven was prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.

It maintained that the incidents demonstrated its commitment to providing security for political actors across party lines. However, it said Atiku’s allegation had prompted the Director-General to order an investigation.

The statement read, “Though these operations to protect all Political Parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralize 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.”

The Service also referred to a similar allegation by the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the agency of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.

It said it welcomed the police investigation into the incident, adding that a preliminary report attributed the incident to an altercation and led to the arrest of 11 suspects.

The DSS said it was awaiting the conclusion of the police investigation and would not devote further attention to the matter.

“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement added.