Ebun Francis|
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday appointed Yesufu Bichi as the substantive director general of Department of state service (DSS).
Bichi replaces the acting director general of the agency, Matthew Seyeifa who was appointed in August by vice president Yemi Osinbajo.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, described Bichi as a “core secret service operative”.
The statement read, “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.”
“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 director-general began his career in the security division of the cabinet office in Kano, from where he joined the Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
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.
He is married with children.