The Department of State Services (DSS) is facing a crisis, as over 390 personnel have signaled their intention to resign, insiders have confirmed.
According to journalist, Jackson Ude who posted on his Twitter page, the mass exodus stems from dissatisfaction with poor allowances and the continuous retention of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Director-General (DG) of the DSS, who is perceived as insensitive to their plight.
The Key issues fueling the unrest include the DG’s failure to implement a promised 40% allowance increase for security and intelligence personnel, which has been pending since his administration began. Instead of introducing new allowances, the DG is accused of shortchanging personnel through restrictive policies.
One such policy counts weekends as part of the mandatory 30-day leave, unlike other agencies that offer 30 working days of leave.
Furthermore, a travel allowance of ₦25,000, recommended by the Federal Civil Service for officers, has not been implemented. Officers reportedly receive only ₦12,000, with the remainder allegedly misappropriated.
A daily sustainability allowance, which is standard in other services, has not been introduced in the DSS, forcing personnel to fend for themselves during official travels.
The use of road transport for officers, instead of air travel, has also raised concerns about safety, especially for those traveling long distances for promotion exams. Packing allowances remain stagnant at ₦80,000 for officers and ₦40,000 for lower ranks, despite inflation.There are allegations of favoritism in postings and recruitment, with personnel from the DG’s hometown of Bichi being given preferential treatment.
The DSS’s VGC Hospital is reportedly experiencing mass resignations, yet the DG is accused of responding by recruiting less qualified individuals from his village, relying on Google for diagnoses.
The DSS is currently the lowest-paid security organization in Nigeria. For instance, constables in the police force now earn more than Assistant Security Officers (ASOs) on level 6.
Detectives, who hold the lowest rank, earn only ₦48,000, despite the harsh economic climate. The DG has yet to implement a 25-35% salary increase for active workers, although retirees have benefited from this increment.
The retired Director of Operations continues to lead dangerous missions in the North, where bandits have killed numerous DSS officers. This relentless pursuit of operational goals at the expense of personnel safety has only exacerbated the discontent.
In a recent incident that has become a subject of mockery, a comedian depicted DSS officers attempting an arrest and being offered food instead, highlighting the diminished respect for the service.
The situation calls for urgent reforms to address the grievances of DSS personnel, ensure fair treatment, and restore morale within the agency.
Although Bichi had initiated some reforms aimed at taking care of the welfare of personnel, sources said the reforms only benefitted cronies and personnel from his home town of Bichi, Kano state.
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