Following weeks of speculations about plans to replace the acting Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, with a substantive Director-General, it is now a fait accompli.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved, with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi as new boss of the secret police.
The former Director-General, Mr. Lawal Daura, was sent packing after the National Assembly was put on a lock down by agents of the State Security Service on the orders of Daura two months ago.
The most senior officer after Daura, Seiyefa, took over in acting capacity after then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, relieved Daura of his duties. President Buhari was in London while the drama played out. A Police report by Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, indicted Daura.
The new appointee, according to Shehu, is a core Secret Service operative.
Shehu’s statement reads further: “He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
“The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
“Mr. Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
“The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.
“In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.
“He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.
“He also served as Director at State Service Academy.
“Mr Bichi is married and with children.”