The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed as false, an allegation by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that the Service was planning to organise protests in Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 3, 2026, by its Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said the attention of the Director-General was drawn to the allegation credited to the elder statesman.
The Service, for the records, stated that its operatives deployed to the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when he was attacked in the state. It disclosed that two DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still receiving treatment in hospital.
According to the DSS, the governorship candidate personally called to appreciate the State Director of the Sokoto Command and even requested reinforcement from the Service, an action it said contradicts the claim of a plot against the party.
The agency also recalled that on 2nd March 2026, it arrested one Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State for threatening to attack the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The suspect, it said, was prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Rivers and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
While noting that such operations to protect all political parties are at variance with Atiku’s allegation and tend to demoralise operatives risking their lives in the line of duty, the Service said the DG has still ordered an investigation into the claim in deference to the elder statesman.
The DSS also referenced a similar allegation by the AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, that the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State. It commended the Police for swift investigation, a preliminary report attributing the incident to an altercation, and the arrest of eleven suspects, adding that it awaits the outcome of Police investigation and will continue to remain accountable under the present leadership.
