The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lauded the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, for initiating what it described as a “pleasantly surprising and deeply encouraging” wave of human rights reforms within the agency.

Speaking in Abuja, the association, through its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, hailed Mr. Ajayi’s commitment to the rule of law, transparency, and redress for past wrongs as unprecedented in the agency’s recent history.

“For 18 years, HURIWA has called for accountability and respect for democratic norms by Nigeria’s security services,” Onwubiko stated. “It is not every day that a rights group is moved to applaud a security agency like the DSS, but in this case, credit must be given where due.”

Citing recent developments under Ajayi’s leadership, HURIWA pointed to the release and reported compensation of three young Nigerians — Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba, and Ifesinachi Eze — who had been detained for months on allegations of belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN). Their release followed a case review ordered by the DSS Director-General and was widely praised by human rights lawyer Barr. Deji Adeyanju as a reflection of a new, reformist agenda at the DSS.

HURIWA also highlighted the release of Abdulyakini Salisu, a businessman wrongfully detained for kidnapping, who received ₦10 million in compensation. In another case, a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in 2016 reportedly received ₦20 million in compensation after the current DG intervened to ensure justice was served.

“These actions show a radical and commendable departure from past practices. The DSS under Ajayi is gradually redefining itself as a national institution committed to fairness and constitutional responsibility,” Onwubiko added.

The group urged the DSS to institutionalize these reforms by establishing Human Rights Desks at both the national and state levels. Such units, according to HURIWA, should be empowered to receive and investigate complaints from both the public and DSS personnel, creating a transparent mechanism for internal accountability.

“If the DSS, long viewed as opaque and unaccountable, can now embrace reform and openness, other agencies — particularly the Nigeria Police Force — have no excuse,” HURIWA asserted. “This is the kind of healthy competition we need among our national institutions.”

HURIWA called on civil society organizations, the legal community, and the National Assembly to support the DSS in codifying these reforms into law and procedure, emphasizing that sustainable change in the security sector requires a multi-stakeholder approach.

“This is not about praising an individual,” Onwubiko concluded, “but about supporting principles of accountability, justice, and fairness. If the DSS continues along this path, it could set a new standard for security governance in Nigeria.”