The Department of State Services (DSS) has responded to allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the agency was planning to disrupt the party’s campaign rally in Sokoto State.
The secret police denied the allegation, insisting that its operatives had been providing security protection to members of different political parties, including the ADC.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Atiku, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, accused the DSS leadership of recruiting protesters to create disorder in Sokoto and provide an excuse for imposing a curfew to prevent the ADC from holding its rally.
The former vice president alleged that protesters were being mobilised from an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, with trucks deployed to strategic locations, including a roundabout.
He claimed that the protesters were causing traffic congestion, threatening commuters and assaulting residents as part of an alleged plan to frustrate the opposition party’s activities.
Atiku described the alleged involvement of security operatives in the mobilisation as political interference and called on the DSS to remain neutral.
“This is not intelligence work. It is political interference dressed in official uniform,” he said.
“Security agencies exist to protect Nigerians and uphold the law, not to recruit protesters or help a political party manufacture a crisis.”
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday night, and signed by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said its attention had been drawn to the allegations.
The agency cited an incident involving the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, on October 31, insisting that its operatives had rescued him when he was attacked.
According to the DSS, its personnel evacuated Daniya to safety without injury, while two operatives were assaulted during the incident and were still receiving medical treatment.
The agency further disclosed that Daniya personally contacted the State Director of the DSS in Sokoto to appreciate the operatives for their intervention and requested additional security reinforcement.
The statement read, “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 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 agency also referenced its arrest and prosecution of a man, Monday Udeme Steven, in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, for allegedly threatening to attack the ADC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
It said Steven was prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.
The DSS maintained that its interventions demonstrated its commitment to protecting politicians across party lines, arguing that Atiku’s allegation contradicted the sacrifices of its personnel.
It stated, “Though these operations to protect all political parties are 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.”
The agency also recalled a similar allegation by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who had accused the DSS of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
According to the secret police, the police had conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident and attributed it to an altercation, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The DSS said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not expend further energy on the matter.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Atiku had accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of using intimidation and administrative obstacles to frustrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He alleged that public facilities meant for campaign activities had been blocked and logistical support withheld in Sokoto, describing the developments as deliberate attempts to deny the ADC a level playing field.
The former vice president also criticised the government over the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel and electricity, arguing that the administration should be defending its economic record rather than attempting to frustrate opposition campaigns.
Atiku insisted that the ADC would resist any attempt to prevent it from exercising its political rights and confirmed that he would visit Sokoto on Wednesday to address residents.
“I will be in Sokoto tomorrow, God willing, to address the good people of the state,” he said.
He also urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid being provoked into violence, while calling on security agencies to protect commuters, residents and rally participants without discrimination.
