President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday named Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Bichi replaces Matthew Seiyefa who was appointed by then Acting President, Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo as Acting Director-General of DSS following the sack of Lawal Daura by the VP on August 7.
Garba described the new substantive DG of DSS as a core operative of the secret service.
The statement read, “President Buhari has approved with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).
“The appointee is a core Secret Service operative.
“He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
“The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
“Mr. Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
“The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.
“In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.
“He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.
“He also served as Director at State Service Academy.
“Mr Bichi is married and with children.”
Meanwhile, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, . Ubani Monday Onyekachi wrote on his Facebook page, “I can’t get over this shock, what more evidence I am looking for to reach a conclusion about this man? Unless a better explanation is given I have reached the final destination concerning PMB”.
Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and Reno Omokri, erstwhile aide to immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, have reacted.
Omokri, while reacting, faulted Buhari’s choice of Magaji.
Reacting, Omokri in a post on his Twitter handle said Magaji’s appointment as new SSS DG shows President Buhari is dead set on his Northernisation of government policy.
He wrote: “I congratulate President Buhari for appointing yet another Northerner, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to head the Department of State Security.
“Whoever doubted Buhari’s 97% versus 7% statement can now see the President is dead set on his Northernisation of government policy.”
Duke, a presidential aspirant under the Social Democratic Party, SDP, wrote on his Twitter handle: “PMB has just appointed Yusuf Magaji Bichi as substantive DG SSS.
“Against the clamour to broaden the heads of our nations security framework, PMB has proven himself an irredeemable irredentist. SAD!!!”
Ben Murray-Bruce, the Senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district in National Assembly, has also queried President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest appointment of new Director-General of Department of State Security, DSS.
Reacting to the development on his Twitter page, Ben-Bruce wondered why Seiyefa, who was the only Southerner heading an intelligence agency was replaced by a Northerner.
He tweeted, “Seiyefa was the only Southerner heading an Intelligence agency. He was competent and loyal.
“In the interest of federal character and North South balance, President @MBuhari should have retained him. Bichi may be competent, but how can all Intelligence be headed by Northerners?”