In what looks like a clear justification of public disturbance, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), has sided his wife who brawled with a gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abba Yusuf and ordered her security guards to brutalise a photographer filming the incident on Sunday.
WikkiTimes had reported how Aisha, Bichi’s wife staired a tensed scene at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport when motorcade of the gubernatorial candidate hindered her convey to gain access into the airport. According to Daily Nigerian, Aisha ordered that the politician be arrested and Garba Koli, a photographer in the latter’s entourage be “killed” for filming the moment.
Peter Afunanya, spokesman for DSS did not respond to question about the incident. But in a statement released earlier today, Bichi, the agency’s boss, claimed there are “dark forces” that want to tarnish his image and that of his family over his uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
Bichi added that those forces are doing the character assassination in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
According to Afunanya, DSS would not watch while its boss is being defamed.
AFUNANYA’S STATEMENT
“The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered plans by some politicians and disgruntled elements within and outside the government to sponsor smear campaigns against the DGSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc and his key officials over the Service’s uncompromising stance on some critical governance and policy issues.
“Those behind the plot have engaged Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations to not only sustain but stage further rallies, road-shows and press conferences and use the occasions to discredit Bichi.
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“Also, sections of the media have been briefed to implement the strategy through sponsored articles, commentaries and features to malign the DG, his family and select officials of the Service.
“The Service is monitoring developments and will allow the plotters to either exhaust themselves or rescind the plan of action. Otherwise, no amount of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will deter it from discharging its duties.
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“However, it would not idly watch a group of dissatisfied gang to undermine the Service and its highly dedicated Leadership and Management. The DSS, therefore, wishes to inform the public to be wary of these tendencies and ignore the antics of dark forces out to impugn the character of the DG.
“It restates its unalloyed support to the President on his resolve to continue to confront head-on, threats to national security as well as create the enabling environment necessary for the 2023 general elections to hold.”
