Speculations over the likelihood of ex-Director-General Lawal Daura’s return to office as Director General of the Department of State Service,DSS have been brought to an end with the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc) as the substantive head of the agency by President Muhammdu Buhari.
A statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity Thursday evening said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Shehu added that “The appointee is a core Secret Service operative.”
“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.
According The statement from the Presidential Villa, “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.”
The presidency also disclosed that 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,” Shehu said.
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, the statement said.
It could be recalled that Daura was earlier sacked by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo over the invasion of National Assemby by DSS operatives.Mr.Matthew Seiyefa was thereafter named as the acting DG of DSS.
