By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
NIGERIA’s DOMESTIC intelligence agency, the Department of State Services (DSS), has dismissed 115 personnel as part of a sweeping internal reform aimed at reinforcing discipline, integrity, and professionalism across its ranks.
According to an official statement by the Service, the dismissals were executed over a period of time as part of the agency’s efforts to sanitise its operations and ensure adherence to established professional standards.
The DSS stated that the move forms part of a broader strategy to uphold accountability and ethical conduct among its operatives.
The Service explained that some of the affected individuals, including Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, have continued to impersonate the DSS after their dismissal and have been involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
The agency cautioned Nigerians against engaging with such individuals under any guise, stressing that their names and details have been published on its official website at www.dss.gov.ng/media/more/4 to assist the public in identifying them.
“The Service finds it necessary to warn citizens of the fraudulent activities of some of these persons still posing as DSS personnel,” the statement read.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any official dealing with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service. For clarity, the identities of the affected persons have been published on the website of the Service.”
The DSS added that it had issued earlier public disclaimers concerning the duo of Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, who were found to have impersonated the agency for fraudulent gain.
It stated that such actions undermine national security and public trust, noting that any individuals caught impersonating security agencies would face the full weight of the law.
The Service urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or persons claiming to represent the DSS through its verified contact lines – 09088373515 – or via email at dsspr@dss.gov.ng.
It reiterated that impersonation of security personnel constitutes a serious criminal offence punishable by law.
“The Department remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct among its personnel and ensuring accountability at all operational levels,” the DSS declared.
“The ongoing internal reforms are designed to strengthen institutional integrity, boost public confidence, and enhance the effectiveness of our security operations.”
While the agency did not disclose specific details of the offences committed by the dismissed officers, it maintained that each case was subjected to due internal disciplinary procedures in line with the Service’s regulations.
The DSS further emphasised that its reform drive reflects the agency’s resolve to remain transparent and accountable in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
The announcement was made public through the DSS’s verified social media handles on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.
The statement reaffirmed that the dismissals were not abrupt but were carried out progressively from early 2023 to mid-2025, aligning with the Service’s internal audit and personnel review framework.
It stated that the affected personnel had been duly informed of their disengagement and were stripped of all operational privileges.
The Service clarified that none of the dismissed officers currently represent the agency in any capacity and warned that any claim of affiliation to the DSS by these individuals constitutes impersonation.
The DSS reaffirmed that it operates within a strict code of conduct guided by the principles of integrity, loyalty, and respect for the rule of law.
The statement also stressed that the Service would not tolerate any form of misconduct, dereliction of duty, or abuse of authority among its workforce.
According to the agency, the decision to publicly release the list of dismissed officers was taken to protect the public from falling victim to impersonation and to demonstrate transparency in its reform process.
Moreover, the DSS noted that its internal reforms are ongoing and would continue to target irregularities, strengthen operational capacity, and reinforce the professionalism of its personnel.
“The Department of State Services is a responsible security organisation committed to the safety and stability of the nation. We shall continue to uphold our core values of integrity, discipline, and professionalism in the service of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
