It may not have undergone any known research process, but the maxim that a country’s security intelligence system is next to her economy is a veritable point that may not need any research-based effort, at least in Nigeria and other developing countries.
As such, whoever leads this critical and sensitive line of defence must be deliberately tactful, intelligent, committed and have eyes for capacity building of personnel. These characteristics fittingly described the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Like a child of necessity, the gentleman Bichi was pulled out of retirement in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the Intelligence Agency, and three years down the lane, he has spared no efforts in returning civility, integrity and core professionalism to Nigeria’s secret police, in a manner that defies expectations from all and sundry.
Described in some quarters as the unsung hero of many successful operations because the tenets of their job do not afford them the room to advertise their achievements or actionable intelligence except in rare cases, the DSS giant strides especially under Bichi has actually solidified Nigeria’s eyes, ears and nose as a nation.
Till date, the DSS has its biggest achievement in ensuring the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country by promptly addressing the various challenges to Nigeria’s internal security.
Although his emergence as the DGSS was never a surprise, especially to those who knew his meritorious 35 years public service in the Intelligence Agency, so far, his journey has crystalised his creativity and innovative mindset which has brought about several reforms since his assumption of office.
Recognised as gender equality champion based on qualities exhibited in gender inclusiveness in his administration, Bichi was recently honoured by the Ministry of Women Affairs with its prestigious HeforShe awards in Abuja.
Presenting the award to the DSS DG, the Minister of Women Affair, Dame Pauline Tallen, said Bichi has demonstrated considerable progress in gender-mainstreaming.
The elated DSS DG who described women as a special specie with outstanding skills and wisdom noted that, “women excel even better at operations of DSS which have hitherto been considered solely for men due to the nature and technicalities involved.
“One-third (1/3) of the present recruits undergoing training at the DSS are women,”Bichi said.
Clearly, Bichi is a man who truly understands the important role women play in the service and society at large. Under his watch, the recruitment of women into sensitive positions in the DSS has skyrocketed. Of course, amid sharp criticism and misgivings from some quarters about the performance of the DSS under DG Bichi, the facts point to a credible leader who has continued to break new grounds without seeking accolades.
With the benefit of hindsight, those with scruple on the activities of the spy police before the appointment of Bichi in 2018 may have a point, especially with the unfortunate incident on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, when hooded personnel of the State Security Service invaded the National Assembly, to prevent lawmakers from accessing the hallowed chambers. Thankfully, all these faded with Bichi’s appointment which restored the glory of the DSS.
Known as an astute intelligent officer, Bichi’s urbane disposition has seen to the augmentation of young and upcoming officers, who see him as both a father and professional figure in all they do.
Three years after the task to bring back the glory of the Service dropped on his laps, following the weight of public opprobrium on it, the strategic thinker Bichi has revamped and reorganized the Service in the areas of operations as well as intelligence gathering, administration, public relations, human capital and infrastructural development, and the rest.
Under Bichi, the DSS has effectively conducted counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country, ditto in the areas of reducing economic crimes, internet and advance fee frauds, kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking and militancy, amongst others.
Of note is the reticent disposition and professional role of the DSS in ensuring that the nation wasn’t grounded during the 2021 #EndSARS protest, and this deserves commendation because Bichi’s leadership has continued to ensure that threats and crimes against the internal security of Nigeria is eliminated or contained. The spy chief has been silently breaking new grounds in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities and has been filling operation and perception gaps to enthrone a secured and harmonious Nigeria, which is the core objective of President Buhari.
Internally, Bichi has been paying painstaking attention to the welfare of officers of the service and that has literally jerked the moral and attention of staffers on the upward swing. He has brought to the fore his experience as a core secret service operative and among other things, he has reorganised and rebranded the reputation of the agency in the eyes of the public. The secret police now operates with civility, integrity and core professionalism.
With the visible deliberate action plan to operate the state security service on strictly intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter-intelligence, among others, there was no denying the truth that President Buhari pulled a masterstroke with Bichi’s appointment three years ago.
On the collaborative front, the Kano-born spymaster has enjoyed unparalleled collaborations with sister agencies, providing actionable and timely intelligence these agencies and government officials for informed policy.
With a sense of responsibility, Bichi instituted a robust line of engagement with the media for partnership especially with the Service open source and public relations department, manned by professionals who have given a face to the agency.
No doubt, Bichi’s tenure has really witnessed a lot of changes with numerous restructuring of the Service. The DG is indeed a gentleman loved by all for his professionalism, astuteness, transparency, intelligence, detribalized stance and passion for both job and country.
