How #EndBadGovernance Protests Led to the Resignations of DSS, NIA Chiefs

The recent #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria have led to significant leadership changes within the country’s top security agencies, with the resignations of Yusuf Bichi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and Ahmed Abubakar, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). These resignations came after mounting pressure from President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who were reportedly dissatisfied with the agencies’ handling of two major incidents: the violent protests in northern Nigeria and the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft in France.

The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, were driven by widespread public discontent over economic hardships exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, hikes in electricity tariffs, and the soaring cost of living. While demonstrations in the South-West remained largely peaceful, protests in northern states such as Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Bauchi turned violent. In these states, public and private properties were destroyed, shops were looted, and chaos ensued, leading to the imposition of curfews in states like Kano, Bauchi, and Plateau.

The lack of functional intelligence to predict and mitigate the violence was a major factor in the decision to request Bichi’s resignation. President Tinubu and NSA Ribadu were reportedly embarrassed by the DSS’s failure to anticipate the scale of unrest, particularly in Kano State, Bichi’s home region, where the destruction and looting were most severe. This failure highlighted significant gaps in the agency’s ability to gather and act on critical intelligence, undermining national security at a particularly sensitive time.

Compounding the situation was the international incident involving the seizure of Nigerian presidential aircraft in France. A French court sanctioned the seizure of three jets, including a newly purchased Airbus, in connection with a legal dispute between a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, and the Ogun State Government. The NIA, responsible for gathering and analyzing foreign intelligence, was criticized for not providing early warning or effective responses to prevent the embarrassing incident. Abubakar, the NIA chief, faced scrutiny over this failure, leading to his resignation.

Sources within the Presidency revealed that these incidents were the final straw for both security chiefs, who had already been under scrutiny for other lapses. President Tinubu and NSA Ribadu were reportedly dissatisfied with the performance of both Bichi and Abubakar, feeling that their agencies had failed to meet the demands of the current security environment, both domestically and internationally.

The resignations of Bichi and Abubakar have elicited varied reactions, particularly within the DSS. Some DSS officers, speaking anonymously, expressed relief at Bichi’s departure, describing his tenure as marked by unprofessionalism and undue influence from his family. There were widespread allegations that Bichi’s wife and son had interfered with the operations of the DSS, with claims that his wife frequently abused her husband’s position to exert power over agency officials. For instance, reports emerged of Bichi’s wife allegedly slapping a DSS director in a northern state and other senior officers at airports. His son, Yusuf Bichi, was also criticized for flaunting his influence, with videos circulating online showing him moving around with a long convoy of security operatives, allegedly including DSS personnel.

The internal dissatisfaction with Bichi’s leadership was further highlighted by reports of nepotistic recruitment practices. Some DSS officers accused him of favoring individuals from his home region in the recruitment process, with claims that a disproportionate number of new recruits were from the North, particularly from Bichi Local Government Area in Kano State. This led to concerns about a lack of diversity and balance within the agency’s ranks.

Additionally, there were grievances regarding Bichi’s handling of staff welfare. Despite a federal government directive to increase salaries by 40 percent, DSS officers alleged that this was not implemented under Bichi’s leadership, leaving them earning less than their counterparts in other security agencies, such as the police. This, coupled with claims that Bichi extended the service years of officers due for retirement, further stoked discontent within the agency.

Public reactions to Bichi’s resignation were mixed. While some criticized his leadership style, accusing him of turning the DSS into a tool for personal and familial aggrandizement, others defended his tenure, suggesting that the backlash was driven by disgruntled officers unhappy with his strictness. Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, commented that the celebration of Bichi’s resignation by some staff did not necessarily reflect his effectiveness as a leader. He noted that strict leaders often face resistance from their subordinates, especially if they insist on discipline and reject corrupt practices.

Bichi’s Bichi’s tenure was also marked by several controversial operations, which have left a lasting impact on his legacy. Among these was the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele in June 2023, under circumstances that drew widespread criticism for the DSS’s heavy-handed approach. Emefiele was detained for over a month before being arraigned, and even after a court granted him bail, the DSS re-arrested him in a dramatic confrontation at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The DSS also faced criticism for the arrest and treatment of Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and activist, who was detained for months after calling for protests against bad governance.

The resignation of Abubakar from the NIA has drawn less public attention but is equally significant. His agency’s failure to prevent the seizure of Nigerian aircraft in France was seen as a major diplomatic and intelligence blunder, further complicating Nigeria’s international relations. This incident, combined with the internal unrest, painted a picture of a country struggling to manage its security challenges both at home and abroad.

(Ismaeel Uthman and Solomon Odeniyi – Punch)