Two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives are still receiving hospital treatment after being assaulted while protecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, the agency has said, as it dismissed Atiku Abubakar’s allegation that it is sponsoring protests in the state.
In a statement on its official X handle, the DSS said it was surprised by the allegation from the ADC presidential candidate, who had claimed the secret police was recruiting protesters to stir disorder in Sokoto and create grounds for a curfew that would block the party’s campaign rally.
The Service said its operatives evacuated the ADC governorship candidate, Mannir Daniya, to safety unhurt on October 31, 2026, when he was attacked in Sokoto.
It added that Daniya later called the State Director of the Sokoto Command to express appreciation and even asked for reinforcement from the DSS.
According to the agency, such operations to protect all political parties contradict the allegation and risk demoralising operatives who put their lives on the line.
It nonetheless said the Director General has ordered an investigation into the claim, out of respect for the elder statesman.
The DSS also recalled that on March 2, 2026, it arrested one Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State for threatening to attack the National Democratic Party (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
It said Udeme was prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and is now serving a two-year prison sentence.
Referring to a similar allegation by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, that the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State, the DSS thanked the Police for their swift investigation.
It noted that the preliminary report described the cause of the incident as an “altercation” and that eleven suspects have been arrested.
The Service said it would await the outcome of the Police investigation and would not dissipate energy on the matter.
“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement concluded.
