The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that it is organising protests to disrupt political activities in Sokoto State.
The Service said its operatives had been providing security protection to political candidates across party lines, citing the evacuation of the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, during an attack on October 31, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, National Headquarters, Abuja, Favour Dozie, the DSS said its operatives deployed to protect Daniya evacuated him to safety unhurt during the incident. 
It disclosed that two of its operatives were assaulted in the process and were still receiving treatment in hospital.
According to the Service, Daniya personally called the State Director of the Sokoto Command to appreciate the intervention and subsequently requested additional reinforcement from the DSS.
The Service said the operation contradicted Atiku’s allegation and showed its commitment to protecting political actors, regardless of party affiliation.
It, however, said the allegation could demoralise its operatives who were risking their lives in the discharge of their duties.
Despite its position, the DSS disclosed that its Director-General had ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the former vice president.
The Service also cited its intervention in a separate security incident involving the New Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The suspect, it said, was prosecuted by the Service before a Federal High Court in Rivers State and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
The DSS further referenced a similar allegation by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the Service of involvement in an attack on him in Ekiti State.
It said it appreciated the police for their swift investigation and preliminary report, which attributed the incident to an altercation, as well as the arrest of 11 suspects.
The Service said it was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and would not dissipate energy on the matter.
“The attention of the DG, Department of State Services (DSS), has been drawn to allegations by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji ATIKU ABUBAKAR, that DSS is organising protests in Sokoto State.
“For the Record, DSS Operatives deployed to Sokoto, ADC Governorship Candidate Mannir DANIYA, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when he was attacked in Sokoto. Two (2) DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital. The governorship candidate called personally to appreciate the State Director of Sokoto Command and even requested reinforcement from the DSS.
“Recall also that, on 2nd March 2026, the Service arrested Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State for threatening to attack Peter OBI, NDC Presidential Candidate. The Service prosecuted him in a Rivers Federal High Court and sentenced him to two (2) years in prison.
“Though these operations to protect all political parties are at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralise 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 Service also use this medium to reference a similar allegation by AAC Presidential Candidate Omoyele SOWORE that the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State. In this regard, we thank the Police for swift investigation and a preliminary Report on the cause of the incident: “altercation”, coupled with the arrest of eleven (11) suspects. We await the outcome of the Police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement maintained.
