DSS
The Department of State Services (DSS) is Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency, tasked with safeguarding national security through intelligence gathering, counterterrorism, and internal security operations.
Enhanced Counterterrorism Efforts
In 2025, the DSS intensified its counterterrorism operations across Nigeria. Notably, in Niger State, DSS operatives disrupted gatherings of armed bandits, seizing weapons and neutralizing threats.
Additionally, in the Southeast, the agency dismantled several camps linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), recovering arms and explosives.
Organisational Reforms and Leadership Diversity
Under the leadership of Director-General Adeola Ajayi, appointed in August 2024, the DSS is undergoing significant reforms.
A landmark development is the appointment of Folashade Adekaiyeoja as the first female Deputy Director-General, signalling a move towards greater gender inclusivity within the agency.
Furthermore, the DSS is shifting towards more covert operations and legal processes, emphasising due process over forceful interventions.
