The Department of State Services, DSS, has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the agency was recruiting protesters to cause disturbances in Sokoto State.
Atiku had alleged that the DSS was recruiting people to disrupt a planned political rally and create a situation that could be used to impose a curfew and prevent the event from holding.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Service said its Director-General had directed an investigation into the allegation, despite describing it as inconsistent with its operations.
The DSS said its operatives had provided security protection to political actors across party lines, citing recent interventions involving the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Dan’iya, and Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The agency said its operatives evacuated Dan’iya to safety during an attack in Sokoto on October 31. It added that two of its personnel were assaulted during the incident and were still receiving medical treatment.
The Service said Dan’iya later contacted the Sokoto State Director of the DSS to appreciate the operatives’ intervention and request additional security reinforcement.
The agency also cited the arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over threats to attack Obi. It said he was sentenced to two years in prison by a Federal High Court.
The DSS maintained that its record of protecting political actors from different parties contradicted Atiku’s allegation. It warned that such claims could demoralise its operatives.