The Federal Government of Nigeria has described the official dismissal of 115 personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) as part of an extensive internal reform aimed at strengthening professionalism, discipline, and accountability within the agency.
The dismissals, which occurred over a period between 2024 and 2025, reflect a firm commitment to sanitizing the intelligence service from unwholesome elements.
In a public statement released by DSS, the agency warned the general public to desist from engaging with the dismissed officers, emphasizing that those individuals no longer represent the Service. The statement reads: “As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services (DSS), the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period. Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any official dealings with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service.”
The reasons for the dismissals include fraudulent practices, acts of indiscipline, and certificate forgeries. DSS also cautioned that some dismissed officers have been impersonating active DSS personnel to defraud unsuspecting citizens. The agency particularly singled out two former officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, who were previously disowned and subsequently arrested for alleged fraud using the service’s identity. The DSS confirmed both individuals will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
This sweeping move forms part of broader reforms designed to rid the agency of elements compromising its integrity and to restore public confidence in the intelligence community. The names and photographs of the dismissed officers have been made publicly available on the DSS official website to ensure transparency and alertness within the society.
The DSS asserted that these disciplinary actions are necessary for enhancing operational efficiency and professional standards, warning the public against dealing with impostors claiming affiliation with the Service.
