Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that the agency planned to organise protests in Sokoto State to disrupt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign rally.

Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, reportedly made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. He accused DSS leadership of recruiting protesters to cause unrest in Sokoto and create grounds for imposing a curfew that could prevent the party from holding its rally.

However, the DSS, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, denied the allegation, insisting that its operations were guided by the need to protect political actors regardless of party affiliation.

The agency said its operatives rescued the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during an attack on October 31, 2026.

According to the statement, the operatives evacuated Daniya to safety, while two DSS personnel who were assaulted during the incident were still receiving medical treatment as of Tuesday.

The Service added that Daniya later contacted the DSS State Director in Sokoto to appreciate the agency’s intervention and request additional security support.

The incident followed accusations traded between the All Progressives Congress and the ADC in Sokoto State over an alleged attack on Daniya’s convoy on Saturday.

To support its position, the DSS also cited the arrest and prosecution of Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State on March 2, 2026, over an alleged threat to attack the New Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

It said Steven was prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years in prison.

The agency maintained that its actions demonstrated its commitment to providing security for politicians across party lines.

Despite describing Atiku’s allegation as inconsistent with its record, the DSS said its Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, had directed that the claim be investigated.

The statement said the decision was taken out of respect for the former vice-president, whom it described as an elder statesman.

The DSS also recalled a similar allegation by the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the agency of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.

It said it welcomed the police investigation into the incident, noting that a preliminary report attributed it to an altercation and that 11 suspects had been arrested.

The Service said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not make further efforts to address the matter.

It added that it would continue to operate accountably under its current Director-General.