Confusion trails movement of Aso Rock DSS officials

There was some confusion on Wednesday over the situation of position of officials of the Department of State Security posted to the premises of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.

Initial reports suggested that they had been ordered by a top security aide to the president to leave the premises. He was reported to have said that a directive had been given that they should no longer be allowed access into the premises.

Recall that Ripples had reported earlier that there were moves to replace the officials with those of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps.

The DSS officials belong to the Body Guard Unit of the DSS had been working in the Presidential Villa since the days of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

One of the DSS officiall who spoke on condition of anonymity however said they would still resume at their beat on Thursday (today) except they receive a contrary directive from their headquarters.

But the Presidency in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said President Muhammadu Buhari had not given any order for the expulsion of DSS officials from the Presidential Villa.

The statement read, “Rumours that personnel of the Department of State Services have been expelled from the Presidential Villa are unfounded.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has given no such order.

“While it is true that a reorganisation of security at the Presidential Villa which involves the realignment of personnel from various services is underway, the exercise does not translate to the expulsion of DSS personnel from the premises in any way.

“The changes being made are routine adjustments which are not unexpected in any dynamic environment from time to time.”

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