Discontent is brewing within the Department of State Services (DSS) as a number of retired directors continue to hold their positions, defying public service rules. This has caused significant unrest and frustration among the current employees and officials of the DSS.
Sources revealed to Sahara Reporters on Monday that this practice is widespread among DSS directors, leading to internal conflict within the organization. Workers and officials of Nigeria’s secret police are reportedly demoralized and angered by the situation.
Three directors, in particular, have been identified as continuing in their roles long after their official retirement dates: Adeleke S. Ayodele, Mohammed Al Hassan Ndatsu, and Kamba Damana.
Adeleke S. Ayodele, who was enlisted in August 1984, officially retired in 2019 after 35 years of service. Despite this, Ayodele remains in his position as the Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), a DSS institution.
Similarly, Mohammed Al Hassan Ndatsu, who joined the service in October 1988 and retired in 2020 upon reaching the age of 60, continues to serve as the State Director of Security (SDS) in Kano State.
Kamba Damana, who entered the service in April 1990 and retired on June 25, 2020, is still acting as the director of the DSS office in Ikoyi.
These directors’ refusal to step down has reportedly cast the DSS in a negative light, stifling growth, promoting mediocrity, and demotivating workers. “This is a flagrant abuse of internal processes, laid-down procedures, and rules of engagement. They are doing it without anybody challenging them. It is killing the morale of other officers who are aspiring to reach the pinnacle of their careers in the service,” one official stated.
The lingering presence of these retired directors is seen as an obstacle to career progression for many DSS employees, further contributing to the dissatisfaction within the ranks.
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In response to these issues, some DSS officers have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and compel the DSS management to rectify the situation. They have demanded that the retired directors be removed immediately and that any salaries and allowances paid to them since their retirement be recovered. This, they argue, would serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar actions in the future.
Attempts to reach the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.