The DSS has announced that 115 of its personnel have been dismissed as part of an ongoing reform process within the agency. The statement did not detail the exact timeframe or the individual infractions for each case.
The dismissal list has been published on the Service’s website to make the action transparent.
The Service says these dismissals form part of its internal reform agenda — aimed at promoting professionalism, integrity and public trust within its ranks. Given that intelligence and security agencies must maintain the highest standards of conduct, this move signals a stricter internal governance posture.
Beyond the dismissals, the DSS issued a strong public warning. It disclosed that some of the dismissed personnel are already engaging in fraudulent activities, notably impersonating DSS operatives and using the agency’s name to perpetrate scams.
For example:
• One former officer, Barry Donald, was officially identified as dismissed and alleged to be using the DSS name for fraud.
• Another, Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, similarly dismissed, was flagged for “using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”
• Both were later arrested by the DSS for impersonation and fraudulent activity.
The Service emphasised that it will publish the names of further dismissed personnel in order to protect the public from being misled by false claims of representation.
Public advisory
• The DSS advised members of the public to verify any official-looking personnel claiming to act on behalf of the Service, especially if dealing with someone whose name appears on the published list of dismissed staff.
• It provided official contact channels for enquiries or complaints: 09088373515 and email dsspr@dss.gov.ng. The list of dismissed personnel is available on the Service’s website.
• The warning underscores the risk of impostors who may exploit the agency’s name for criminal purposes.
Analysts applaud the department’s move noting for a national intelligence/security agency, the internal conduct of staff is critical. Mass dismissals signal an attempt to clean up the organisation, recalibrate standards and bolster credibility.
One adds that by publishing the names and warning the public, the DSS is seeking to protect its own image and minimise the damage caused by rogue ex-staff. Fraudulent impersonation, he adds, undermines both public safety and trust in the Service.
“The arrests of the two former staff send a message: dismissal is not the end — misuse of the Service’s identity will be met with prosecution
“Publishing names and providing public advisory channels are steps toward transparency, although critics may ask for further detail on the reasons for the dismissals, the timeline, and the processes involved,” he added
But questions arise: The exact nature of the misconduct for each of the 115 dismissed personnel has not been publicly detailed;
The timeframe over which the dismissals occurred is described only as “over a period”;
How the reform programme is structured, what internal mechanisms (investigations, disciplinary panels) are used, and how they align with broader security-sector reform efforts are not fully described.
The DSS’s announcement of 115 personnel dismissals, coupled with the public advisories against impersonation and fraud by ex-staff, reflects a concerted effort to improve institutional discipline and protect the public from misuse of its identity. The actions taken — naming individuals, publishing lists, making arrests — form part of a broader push for accountability within the intelligence and security sector in Nigeria.
Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant, verify credentials when approached by anyone claiming to act on behalf of the DSS, and report suspicious persons to the official contact points provided.
