State Security Service (SSS)
The State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), is a Nigerian security agency and one of the three successors to the defunct National Security Organization (NSO). The SSS operates under the Presidency of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Its headquarters is located in Abuja.
Mandate
The SSS is tasked with:
- Protecting Nigeria against domestic threats.
- Enforcing criminal laws of Nigeria.
- Providing intelligence and justice services to federal and state law enforcement.
- Protecting high-ranking officials including:
- President and Vice President
- Senate President
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- State Governors and Deputy Governors
- Former Presidents and their spouses
- Presidential and gubernatorial candidates
- Visiting foreign heads of state
Core Responsibilities
- Counter-intelligence
- Internal security
- Counter-terrorism
- Surveillance
- Economic and medical intelligence
- Protection of government officials
History
- June 1986: President Ibrahim Babangida issued Decree Number 19, dissolving the NSO and restructuring Nigeria’s security services.
- Three agencies were created:
- SSS: Domestic intelligence (DG: Ismaila Gwarzo, Deputy: Lt. Col. A.K. Togun)
- NIA: External intelligence
- DIA: Military intelligence
- Headquarters: Initially in Ikoyi, Lagos (now EFCC office), moved to "Yellow House", Aso Drive, Abuja, during General Sani Abacha’s regime.
- Operates under the Ministry of Defence and the National Security Adviser.
Recruitment Scandal
On 29 September 2020, Peoples Gazette reported a recruitment scandal under DG Yusuf Magaji Bichi involving: - Nepotism and regional favoritism. - Preference for individuals from Bichi’s local government and Northern Nigeria. - Criticism and threats of legal action from Southern and Middle Belt leaders.
Operations and Successes
Notable Cases
- 1993: Arrested Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq, an Egyptian terrorist wanted by the U.S.
- 2010: Intercepted Iranian arms shipment at Lagos port.
- Infiltration of Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
- Kidnapping cases:
- Rescued Rev. Fr. Sylvester Chukwura (2011)
- Arrested Binebi Sibete, a notorious kidnapper
International Operations
- 2013: Uncovered Iranian-led terror cell targeting U.S. and Israeli interests in Nigeria.
Criticisms
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Incident
- Allowed the "underwear bomber" to board a U.S.-bound flight in 2009.
- SSS claimed it was not informed by U.S. or Mutallab's father.
UN House Bombing (2011)
- Boko Haram attacked the UN building in Abuja.
- Public accused SSS of ignoring intelligence, but later reports confirmed SSS had warned of possible attacks.
- UN security advisers were relieved for negligence.
Travel Advisory Panic (2011)
- Nigerian press published false reports of U.S. warnings.
- Panic over possible hotel bombings.
- SSS failed to manage classified intelligence, damaging public trust.
Casualties
- 1 October 2010: A car bomb killed an SSS Assistant Director during Nigeria’s independence celebration.
- 2007: An SSS bodyguard shot during an assassination attempt in Abia State.
- 2013: Several SSS operatives killed during a failed operation against the Ombatse cult group in Nasarawa.
Weapons and Equipment
- Standard weapons include:
- IMI Tavor TAR-21
- FN P90, FN F2000
- Sidearms from Beretta, Glock, Browning
Technologies
- Backscatter X-ray vans for IED detection
- Mobile IED jammers
- Call interception tools (IMSI catchers, signal finders)
- Armored limousines and SUVs for VIP transport
See Also
- National Intelligence Agency (NIA) – External intelligence and counterintelligence
- Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) – Military intelligence
References
- Nigeria Country Report on Human Rights Practices (1997), U.S. Department of State
- Peoples Gazette report on 2020 recruitment scandal