DSS denies Atiku’s ADC rally disruption claim, orders probe

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

The Department of State Services has ordered an investigation into an allegation by former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the agency is planning to organise protests in Sokoto State.

The secret police said the investigation was ordered by its Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, despite describing the allegation as inconsistent with its operations to protect political actors across party lines.

Multiple reports had noted on Tuesday that Atiku while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja accused the leadership of the DSS, of recruiting protesters to create disorder in Sokoto and provide a pretext for imposing a curfew to stop the party’s campaign rally.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said its “operatives rescued the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during an attack on October 31, 2026.”

According to the Service, its operatives “deployed to protect Daniya evacuated him to safety during the incident, while two DSS personnel were assaulted and were still receiving treatment in hospital as of Tuesday.”

The agency added that “Daniya personally contacted the State Director of the DSS in Sokoto to express appreciation and requested additional security reinforcement.”

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the All Progressives Congress and the ADC in Sokoto State on Saturday traded accusations over an alleged attack on the convoy of the ADC governorship candidate Dan’iya.

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

It said “Steven was prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.”

The Service said the operations demonstrated its commitment to protecting political actors irrespective of their party affiliations, but acknowledged that Atiku’s allegation had prompted the DG to order an investigation.

“Though these operations to protect all Political Parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralize our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman,” the statement read.

The DSS also referred to 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, which, according to the DSS, produced a preliminary report identifying an “altercation” as the cause and led to the arrest of 11 suspects.

The Service said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not expend further energy on the matter.

“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement added.