DSS DG says Nigerian politicians trust juju priests more than security officials

Nigerian politicians have been described as reposing more trust in juju priests than in the country’s security operatives.

The director general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, stated this when he spoke during the retreat for incoming governors, a programme organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

According to the DSS DG, a lot of politicians invest their trust in marabouts and “babalawos” on security matters.

He said, “I joke with politicians that you people trust the marabouts and babalawos more. Once someone tells you nothing will happen to your seat … you just trust that person in all crisis.”

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Speaking further on security challenges, he said the problem is lack of will to act to combat it and not lack of intelligence, adding that there remains a disconnect at the grassroots in intelligence gathering due to the disconnect between the formal and traditional leadership structures.

According to him, many local government chairmen have disregard for security matters.

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