Revealed: The Reasons Behind Yusuf Bichi’s Dismissal as DSS Chief

It has been divulged why President Bola Tinubu dismissed Yusuf Bichi, the recently former Director-General of the Department of State Services.

Sources from the Presidency, as reported by PUNCH, stated that Tinubu and Nuhu Ribadu confronted Bichi over his intelligence gathering techniques along with Ahmed Abubakar who recently resigned his position. The #EndBadGovernance protests in certain northern states and the seizure of three presidential aircrafts in France were cited as reasons for their concern.

Bichi was held accountable for the protest’s lack of operational intelligence, and Abubakar reportedly faced questioning over NIA’s failure to anticipate Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited seizing the jets beforehand.

Amid a legal conflict involving Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government, three presidential jets belonging to Nigeria- including an Airbus that was recently acquired – were authorized by a French court to be seized.

While the demonstrations in the South-West remained calm, protests under the banner of #EndBadGovernance that commenced on August 1st were plagued with violence across Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno and Bauchi states.

The protests in certain northern states resulted in the destruction of both public and private establishments, as well as rampant hooliganism with looting. Consequently, Kano, Bauchi, and Plateau states were compelled to implement curfew measures.

The removal of fuel subsidy, the hike in electricity tariffs, and other problems linked to steep living expenses fueled the protest.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Bichi from Kano State on September 14th, 2018 amidst the widespread destruction and looting that occurred.

On January 10th, 2018, Buhari appointed Abubakar from Katsina State.

Credible sources indicate that the seizure of the presidential jets and #EndBadGovernance protests caused Tinubu and Ribadu to feel embarrassed.

Internationally and nationally, the President was embarrassed by the seizure of his jets and violent nature exhibited during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

According to a source, the two security chiefs were asked to resign by the President due to his dissatisfaction with them. The NIA and DSS bosses had displeased him.

According to another insider speaking with Saturday PUNCH, prior to the protest, Bichi and Ribadu had been clashing constantly. The recent northern protests proved to be the breaking point in their already tense relationship.

According to him, the previous DSS director general and NSA chief had been experiencing a strained relationship for some time. This tension reached an extreme point where Bichi was unable to meet with the President. Ultimately, due to the #EndBadGovernance protest, there was legitimate cause for his dismissal by the Presidency.

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After a meeting with President Tinubu, Abubakar declared his departure on Saturday, August 24th.

However, Bichi’s departure was declared through a release delivered by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Monday 26th August.

Several DSS officers, who declined to be named, characterized his departure as “liberation from unprofessionalism.”

Bichi’s purported misbehavior, as identified by the DSS officers, encompasses unauthorized involvement in his family members’ roles within the agency.

As soon as Bichi resigned, an online video surfaced purportedly showing DSS personnel rejoicing over his departure.

Sanusi Jibrin, a user of X platform contradicted the location by revealing that the video was filmed at Kogi State DSS office where personnel were rejoicing Ajayi’s ascent to power due to his previous position as director in state command.

According to a DSS officer, the removal of him was welcomed by agency personnel.

He stated that we considered his reign as a retribution towards us. He obstructed the progress of numerous officials by prolonging the service tenure of those who were scheduled to retire, implying some elder officers expected to depart from their roles in 2021 and 2022 had been kept on board instead.

Another officer claimed that Bichi showed no concern for the well-being of employees.

“The officer stated that despite a 40% increase in salary announced by the Federal Government, there has been no actual implementation. Previously earning more than police officers, they have now surpassed us due to their successful adoption of the increment. Nevertheless, although this year proposed an additional 25% raise for our wages, it remains unrealized.”

PUNCH