The Department of State Services (DSS) says its attention has been drawn to some spurious publications by one Jackson Ude on his twitter handle @jacksonpnb, against the person and office of the Director General of the Services Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
In a statement by Peter Afunanya Director, PR & Strategic Comms. Department of State Services National Headquarters Abuja, Saturday said the allegations were entirely false.
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He further said “It wishes to clarify that neither the DG nor anyone acting on his directive has looted staff subsidy grant.
“No such grant has been made available to the Service and once that is allocated, staff will, as usual, receive what is due for them. Mr Bichi has, never in all ramifications, evidently catered for the welfare of active and retired personnel. This is common knowledge and can be verified by Ude.” He stated
According to him, the so called “goodbye allowance” which Ude accused the DG of granting himself is non-existen, stressing that it is only an imagination of the writer and his sponsors.
Afunanya pointed out that assuming the DG is paid any severance package at the end of his tenure, how is that unethical and outside established public service rule?
“While Ude is at his mischief once again and has continued to smear the image of Mr Bichi as well as present him as corrupt, facts at the DSS show otherwise.
Afunanya Recalled that from retirement in 2018 and appointed the DGSS, Bichi is seen as spartan, accountable, transparent and indeed, incorruptible.
“He has remained resolute in running the Service and shown uncommon commitment in the management of its affairs.”
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“His top priorities are staff welfare and judicious application of human and material resources, noting that any misleading narratives to the contrary are therefore unacceptable.
He Notably maintained that “the Service is aware of the desperation and antics of Ude and his other hirelings to associate it with unnecessary controversies either during the 2023 Presidential election or the subsequent litigations following it.”
“The recent campaign of calumny is one of such. But as always, the DGSS is unperturbed.” Afunanya further stated.
He noted that the Service under him will continue to chart a professional course aimed at internal security of the country.
“In view of the foregoing, the public is urged to disregard the falsehood being peddled by this known fake news merchant whose only stock in trade is to misinform as well as use his platforms to create division and violence.”
He emphasized that the DGSS will take appropriate legal steps to seek redress.
