Fresh allegations have emerged from within the Department of State Services (DSS), with some serving officers accusing the agency’s Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, of subjecting personnel to intimidation, interrogations and punitive measures over the alleged leak of an internal promotion list in which several officers reportedly died before receiving their promotions. The claims have not been independently verified, and the DSS had not publicly responded at the time of reporting.
According to the report, affected officers alleged that the DSS leadership launched an internal crackdown to identify those suspected of leaking information about delayed promotions and the deaths of personnel awaiting advancement. The officers claimed that some staff members had been questioned, transferred or otherwise subjected to disciplinary measures as investigators sought the source of the leaked documents.
The report further alleged that the leaked promotion list reignited longstanding concerns over welfare, career progression and working conditions within the intelligence service. Some officers reportedly expressed frustration over delays in promotions and other administrative processes, arguing that such issues have affected morale within the agency. These allegations remain unverified, and no official findings have been released regarding the claims.
The allegations come amid increased public scrutiny of the DSS over several recent controversies, including ongoing court proceedings involving activist Omoyele Sowore and debates over the agency’s internal operations. However, the claims concerning the alleged victimisation of officers remain accusations published by Sahara Reporters and have not been established by any independent investigation or judicial process.
The allegations highlight broader concerns about transparency, accountability and workers’ rights within public institutions, including the security sector. Effective public institutions require internal grievance mechanisms that protect whistleblowers, guarantee fair labour practices and ensure that concerns over staff welfare, promotions and administrative decisions can be addressed without fear of retaliation. Equally, allegations of misconduct should be investigated through transparent and impartial processes that uphold both institutional integrity and the rights of affected personnel.
