DSS

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday night took former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai had been held by the anti-graft agency since Monday over allegations of corruption. He was granted bail around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Witnesses said armed SSS operatives were already stationed at the EFCC headquarters and moved in immediately after his release.

Security agents then transported him to the SSS headquarters located in the Asokoro District of Abuja. As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not indicated when he might regain freedom.

His latest arrest is tied to allegations that he illegally intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Earlier on Monday, the SSS filed cybercrime charges against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, followed comments he made during a live interview on Arise Television last Friday.

During the programme, El-Rufai alleged that the NSA’s telephone line had been tapped. He claimed he overheard instructions directing security operatives to detain him. He linked those alleged directives to an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where security personnel attempted to arrest him upon his return from Cairo, Egypt, last Thursday.

Eyewitnesses recalled that the encounter at the airport became heated. Officials briefly seized his international passport and later escorted him out while supporters chanted nearby.

Following the television interview, prosecutors from the SSS filed charges, accusing him of admitting to intercepting the NSA’s communications. The prosecution also alleged that he failed to report others involved in unlawful interceptions. Authorities further claimed his actions endangered public safety and national security through the use of technical systems to monitor the NSA’s phone.

Investigators said the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. A date for arraignment has not yet been announced, and El-Rufai has not issued a public response to the charges.

Developments Leading To Arrest

Recent events began unfolding after his return to Nigeria from Cairo. Security operatives first attempted to detain him at the Abuja airport shortly after arrival.

Video clips that circulated online showed a confrontation between security officials and members of his entourage. Reports indicated that his passport was confiscated during that episode.

El-Rufai later accused the NSA of ordering the attempted arrest through the SSS. He repeated the allegation during his Arise Television appearance, insisting he had knowledge of the directive through intercepted communication.

His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, criticised the airport incident. He described the attempted arrest as arbitrary and a breach of constitutional rights. The lawyer explained that an EFCC invitation had been delivered to his client’s residence while he was outside the country. He said immediate compliance was not possible under those circumstances.

Akpan added that his client formally notified the EFCC of his readiness to honour the invitation voluntarily upon return, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday. He also demanded the return of El-Rufai’s passport. He argued that its seizure violated his client’s dignity, movement rights, and constitutional protections. He warned that legal steps would follow any unlawful detention.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially confirmed that it seized the international passport of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as part of an active investigation into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, a lecturer popularly known as Dadiyata.

A top security source disclosed to the press on Monday that the former governor is being probed for his alleged involvement in the kidnap and disappearance of Idris. According to the source, the security agency moved to prevent El-Rufai from leaving the country after he briefly returned to Nigeria, allegedly to orchestrate a swift exit.

“El-Rufai is fully aware that the DSS is investigating him for Dadiyata’s kidnap,” the source stated. He explained that the former governor had planned to visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) this week before “flying back to Cairo. Seizing his passport has shattered his plans.”

The investigation into the case has been reopened following months of intelligence gathering. The security source alleged that El-Rufai, who was the sitting governor of Kaduna State when Idris was abducted from his home in August 2019, may have had prior knowledge of the incident. The lecturer’s whereabouts remain unknown to date.

The probe has intensified following El-Rufai’s recent appearance on Arise Television, where he claimed that a “remorseful policeman” had confessed to being part of a team sent from Kano State to carry out the abduction. The former governor attempted to shift responsibility to former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, stating, “If anybody is to be asked about the disappearance of Dadiyata, it is the Kano state government.”

Security agencies, however, view this explanation with skepticism. “It would be interesting to know what a man who had been a minister and governor did with such key information,” the source said, questioning why El-Rufai failed to report the alleged confession to law enforcement at the time.

In a significant expansion of the probe, the DSS also stated that El-Rufai’s sons, Bello and Bashir, would be invited for questioning. Investigators pointed to old social media posts from 2019 and 2020 that suggest the family was aware of Dadiyata. In one post, Bashir El-Rufai criticized those asking “#WhereisDadiyata,” while Bello El-Rufai posted a cryptic message stating, “The things that we’ve done to protect the name are unsettling… Death to a coward and a traitor.”

The DSS clarified that its investigation is focused specifically on the alleged kidnapping, separate from financial corruption probes being conducted by the EFCC and ICPC regarding El-Rufai’s tenure as governor. An ICPC source noted that the former governor’s allies have been avoiding questioning regarding a separate probe into alleged misappropriation of funds during his administration.

The development has sparked widespread reactions, with human rights activists, including Omoyele Sowore and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, as well as former Senator Shehu Sani, calling for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

By Uzair Adam

The Department of State Services (DSS), Kano Command, has rescued a five-year-old boy, Muhammad Haruna, who was abducted in Dan Zaki Village, Minjibir Local Government Area.

The Daily Reality reports that the DSS, in a statement issued on Friday, said the minor was rescued at about 7:40 p.m. on February 12, 2026, by its Tactical Team in Dan Zaki Village.

The statement indicated that the operation followed a formal report that Haruna had been abducted by suspected kidnappers to an unknown destination, with a demand for N15 million ransom.

According to the DSS, a 20-year-old suspect, Aminu Mukhtar, was apprehended during the operation while negotiating with the victim’s father using GSM number 07084228695.

“In the course of debrief, Mukhtar affirms that he abducted the victim with a view to collecting ransom,” the statement said.

It added that the suspect and the rescued minor are currently in command custody for further action.

By Anwar Usman

A magistrate Court in Jigawa State has ordered the arrest of a serving officer of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of kidnapping 16 year old Muslim girl, sex related charges, unlawful detention, and forcefully converting her to Christianity.

The order was issued by the Magistrate Court of Jigawa State sitting in Hadejia, presided over by His Worship, Sadisu Musa Esq., in Suit No: DCC/01/2026, between Abdulhadi Ibrahim and Ifeanyi Festus.

Contained in the court order, dated January 7, 2026, the magistrate directed the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, or senior officials of the DSS, to aprehended the respondent, Ifeanyi Festus, and investigate the alleged offences pursuant to Sections 125 and 102(5) of the Jigawa State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

In the same vein, the court further ordered the DSS to immediately release and reunite the alleged victim, Walida Abdulhadi, with her parents.

The court order in part reads “Upon hearing Mr. Kabiru Adamu Esq. appearing with Babangida Garba Esq Counsel to the Applicant moving this Court praying for an order of this Court for the Arrest of the Defendant and Investigation of the alleged offences by the Commissioner of Police Jigawa State Police Command Pursuant to Section 125 of the ACJL and 102(5) of the same Law.”

The court ordered that “the defendant be arrested by the Commissioner of Police Jigawa State Police Command or Deputy Director General of the Department of State Security Services and/or any officer under them.”

“That the Commissioner of Police Nigerian Police Force Jigawa State Command is HEREBY ORDERED to discreetly investigate this case.

“That the Department of State Security Service Shall immediately release/reunite the Victim (WALIDA ABDULHADI) to her parent.”

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of Musa Abubakar, believed to be a major supplier of arms to criminal groups in Plateau State and northern Nigeria. The operation was based on intelligence reports leading to his detention on November 12, 2025.

A DSS source confirmed that Abubakar admitted to producing and distributing high-calibre weapons and ammunition used in violent attacks across Plateau and neighbouring regions.

The arrest followed a targeted raid on his weapons manufacturing facility in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State. Authorities reportedly found Abubakar with IED components, chemicals, and manufacturing equipment, all seized by DSS operatives.

This development comes days after the recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, alias Bomboy, a prison escapee linked to the Owo and Deeper Life Church attacks. DSS headlined recent successes in counterterrorism efforts, including the detention of nine high-profile suspects involved in incidents in Plateau and Benue states.

Among those detained is Timna Manjol, 46, who pleaded guilty to firearms charges related to the attacks, according to court documents. Manjol is affiliated with First Baptist Church in Mangu, Plateau.

Security analysts view these arrests as part of the DSS’s ongoing crackdown on violent extremism in the region.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of promoting forgery and deceit as instruments of governance, following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Atiku described Nnaji’s “voluntary resignation” as an attempt to cover up a scandal that exposes the “deep moral crisis” within the Tinubu government. He said Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted for falsifying documents rather than allowed to quietly exit.

Atiku also faulted the Department of State Services (DSS) for clearing Nnaji despite alleged discrepancies in his records, accusing the agency of “failing in due diligence” and embarrassing the nation.

He linked the scandal to what he called a wider pattern of deceit that “begins from the very top,” pointing to longstanding controversies over President Tinubu’s own identity and academic credentials.

“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” Atiku said, alleging that Tinubu’s personal history has “institutionalized falsehood in public service.”

The former vice president called for an independent and transparent investigation into the academic and professional records of all members of the Federal Executive Council, starting with the president.

Atiku concluded that Nigeria would continue to suffer “moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment” unless integrity was restored to public life.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police have arrested 20 suspects in Abuja for allegedly hacking into the servers of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Examination Council (NECO) to manipulate UTME scores.

The suspects, part of a larger syndicate of over 100 members, reportedly charged candidates between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million to obtain inflated results. Many are said to operate private schools and special centres used for the fraud.

Sources indicate that the group aimed to discredit JAMB’s Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system and discourage its future use by other examination bodies, such as WAEC and NECO.

The arrests follow JAMB’s release of the 2025 UTME results, in which over 78% of candidates scored below 200 out of 400. 

Registrar Ishaq Oloyede earlier cited server faults affecting nearly 380,000 candidates, prompting a resit exam from May 16.

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

A wave of emotions swept through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 4, as 144 stranded Nigerians returned home from Libya. Some wept as they stepped onto Nigerian soil, clutching their few belongings, while others sighed in relief after months of hardship in the North African country.

The returnees—mostly women and children—arrived aboard a chartered Boeing aircraft at exactly 4:45 p.m. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) facilitated their homecoming in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other key stakeholders. Officials swiftly processed them, ensuring they underwent the necessary procedures for reintegration into society.

Among the returnees were 100 women, 8 men, 26 children, and 10 infants—individuals who had left Nigeria seeking a better future, only to find themselves ensnared in a nightmare. Libya, once viewed as a gateway to Europe, has become a dangerous trap for migrants. Many face forced labor, sexual exploitation, kidnappings, and inhumane detentions, with little hope of escape.

NEMA and its partners have worked tirelessly for years to bring stranded Nigerians home. At the airport, officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health Services, and the Nigeria Police Force were on the ground to facilitate their return. The returnees underwent biometric registration, medical screening, and psychological counseling before being transported to the Igando IDPs Resettlement Center for reintegration programs.

Yet, for many, homecoming is bittersweet. Aisha, 27, left Nigeria two years ago with dreams of a better life. Instead, she found herself trapped in Libya, forced to work under exploitative conditions just to survive. Holding her two-year-old son close, she said, “I don’t know where to start. I sold everything to travel. Now, I’m back with nothing.”

To help returnees like Aisha, the IOM, in partnership with NEMA and other agencies, provides reintegration support, including vocational training, business grants, and psychosocial counseling. These programs are essential in helping them rebuild their lives and find new opportunities at home.

This latest evacuation is part of an ongoing effort to rescue Nigerians from Libya’s brutal realities. Over the years, thousands have been repatriated, yet the cycle of irregular migration persists. Despite continuous awareness campaigns, human traffickers still lure young Nigerians with false promises of a better life abroad.

Experts argue that while evacuation efforts are commendable, the real solution lies in addressing the root causes of migration—unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunities. Without viable alternatives at home, many will continue to take desperate risks.

Relief and uncertainty filled the air as the returnees settled into the temporary resettlement center. Some saw their return not as a failure but as a second chance. “I just want to find a way to care for my son,” Aisha said. “I don’t regret coming back. At least I am alive.”

The mission of NEMA and its partners is clear: to help returnees rebuild their lives. But for Nigeria, the bigger challenge remains—creating a future where its youth no longer feel compelled to risk everything for an uncertain journey abroad.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu—an NYSC serving corps member, writes from the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja.

By Haroon Aremu Abiodun

Despite the turbulence of 2024, Nigeria’s intelligence and anti-graft agencies recorded significant achievements. The Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and anti-corruption bodies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) made notable strides in combating corruption, safeguarding national security, and upholding the rule of law.

However, Emergency Digest reports that pressing challenges persist within these institutions, threatening sustained progress and credibility. This report delves into landmark achievements, systemic lapses, and broader implications for national security, highlighting the contributions of the NSA and other agencies such as the ICPC, DSS, and NIA.

EFCC: Wins Amid Controversies

Under Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC made impressive progress in tackling financial crimes. Notable accomplishments include a groundbreaking operation that led to the arrest of 792 individuals involved in cryptocurrency and romance scams in Lagos and the recovery of N230 billion and $105 million within a year. A major victory was the forfeiture of a sprawling Abuja estate valued at billions, reflecting the agency’s commitment to asset recovery.

Nevertheless, high-profile cases, like the delayed arrest of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and allegations of dropped charges against crossdresser Bobrisky in exchange for bribes, raised concerns about the EFCC’s integrity. Critics have also highlighted the agency’s inaction on prosecuting high-profile figures such as Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu, despite substantial evidence of corruption.

ICPC: Quiet but Impactful

The ICPC maintained a low profile but achieved commendable results, recovering N52 billion and $966,900 in misappropriated funds in a year. The commission exposed corruption in government contracts, cracked down on job racketeering, and raised concerns about misused funds in constituency projects.

Despite these successes, the ICPC struggles with transparency challenges, understaffing, and limited resources. Addressing these gaps is essential to sustain its fight against systemic corruption.

DSS: Vigilance Amid Criticism

The DSS maintained its critical role, thwarting terrorism plots, dismantling organised crime networks, and protecting vital national assets. However, the agency was criticized for alleged overreach, unlawful detentions, and a lack of transparency.

In a notable clash with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the DSS faced backlash for questioning the group’s leaders after they criticized Nigeria’s human rights record. Similarly, unresolved issues surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s case have cast a shadow over the DSS’s otherwise commendable efforts.

NIA: Expanding Reach, Addressing Gaps

The NIA expanded its global intelligence capabilities, collaborating on transnational crime and cyber threats. However, internal mismanagement and opacity remain significant concerns. With Mohammed Mohammed’s appointment as Director-General, there is hope for renewed efficiency and accountability.

ONSA: Orchestrating National Security

Under Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s leadership, the NSA made strides in combating terrorism and reuniting kidnapping victims with their families. However, controversial policies like the Cyber Security Levy faced opposition from stakeholders, highlighting the need for transparent communication.

To enhance its impact, the NSA must foster better relationships with the media and citizens, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information without compromising sensitive intelligence.

Recommendations for Progress

1. Strengthen Institutional Frameworks: Leverage technology and intelligence to prevent crime and enhance efficiency.

2. Enhance Public-Agency Relations: Foster trust through targeted awareness campaigns and transparent communication strategies.

3. Improve Leadership Accountability: Ensure transparent appointments and performance evaluations for agency heads.

4. Foster International Cooperation: Strengthen ties with global intelligence and financial institutions.

5. Address Root Causes: Combat unemployment and poverty to reduce criminal recruitment.

The collective efforts of Nigeria’s intelligence and anti-graft agencies in 2024 have established a solid foundation for a corruption-free society. From the EFCC’s groundbreaking operations to the ICPC’s meticulous investigations, these achievements underscore the potential for lasting change.

Nevertheless, tackling ongoing challenges, including transparency, resource limitations, and inter-agency coordination is essential. A collaborative approach—reinforcing institutions, enhancing public trust, and promoting integrity—will secure a more stable and prosperous Nigeria.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a Public Affairs Analyst, Advocate for National Development and Fellow of PRNigeria. He can be reached at exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Mahdi Shehu, a political activist and commentator from Kaduna.

He was arrested following allegations that he spread a video of French soldiers on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

According to reports, the video shows Shehu claiming that the Nigerian government is planning to establish a French military base in the North West, a claim that has been denied.

Mahdi is currently in DSS custody in Kaduna, and there is a possibility he will soon be charged in court.

The DSS stated that they discussed the credibility of the video with Mahdi before his arrest, but the conversation did not lead to a resolution.

However, security agents have been instructed to respect his rights while in custody.