Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has applauded the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alh Yusuf Bichi on running of his outfit in an open and transparent manner.
SNM Convener, Rev Solomon Semaka, in a statement in Abuja singled out Bichi’s commitments towards the wellbeing of the personnel of the DSS as worth commending by well meaning Nigerians.
SNM expressed displeasure over the continued, unprovoked and unjustifiable attacks on the integrity of the DSS boss in the forefront of the war against corruption and threats against national security.
SNM maintained that there is no iota of truth in the story being peddled against Bichi for alleged abuse of office and diversion of subsidy removal palliatives meant for the security outfit.
SNM described as unsubstantiated claims that Bichi refused to implement the 40 percent increment approved for members of the intelligence community and has unilaterally stopped the payment of study leave allowance to personnel some of whom are overseas as well as the appointing Junior officers as Deputy Directors.
The group described the story being peddled by a US based journalist (names withheld) as a display of crass ignorance about how security agencies and promotions in the federal civil service is done.
It noted: “But we don’t blame a fugitive who is in hiding. Soon he will beg for another “out of court settlement” as he has always done when called upon by the US courts and law enforcement. He knows what I am talking about.
“Can he tell us the outcome of similar defamation cases he has lost without any shred of evidence when challenged? Is that who Nigerians will take serious?
“First of all, it is not possible for the DG of DSS to stop the federal ministry of finance from implementing the said 40%.There’s no justification whatsoever. The Service cannot stop the study leave allowances of personnel bearing in mind the premium placed on knowledge acquisition by the Service.
” It is better to ask questions rather than running to the media to spew gibberish. As for the promotion of officers, federal character and seniority are pivotal in a highly professional agency like the DSS and cannot be jettisoned by the Service.”
The rights group appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians and personnel of DSS to disregard those bent on sowing the seeds of discord and division with the sole intent of dampening the morale of
the Service over mundane issues like the DG’s personal gifts, which are purely discretional and the payment of wardrobe and packing allowances which are adminstrative issues.
The group called on those behind the misinformation to attack dogs to “desist or be prepared to face the full wrath of law.
