Bichi returning sanity to state security architecture

At no time in very recent memory has our dear country been so offensively violated by high level insecurity with manifestly precarious imports than the moment the current Director General of Directorate of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, was appointed by Mr. President to lead this profoundly complex intelligentsia organization. There is something […]

At no time in very recent memory has our dear country been so offensively violated by high level insecurity with manifestly precarious imports than the moment the current Director General of Directorate of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, was appointed by Mr. President to lead this profoundly complex intelligentsia organization.

There is something about the DG’s appointment and exemplary track record of performance in the sector that tended to assuage the Nigerian critical public at the time it was announced. Rather than the usual controversy that characterizes such appointments, the people received the President’s choice with such an infectious calm mien. We sought to dig deeper into this man’s life and career to know why!

This astute security professional born some 63 years ago, an alumnus of the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a wonderful husband and father, is not just a distinguished intelligent czar! He is a proficient and compassionate trailblazer in the security sector, a manager of men and resources who started out his professional career early during the hey-days of the notable Nigerian Security Organization (NSO) where he actually cut his teeth in the year 1984. Altogether, he has well over 35 years enviable track record of experience with the Nigeria security and intelligence system.

We are aware that to be appointed to such a sensitive position in a critical election year in the life of any country comes with multiplicity of challenges. To be so appointed in a complex and diverse country like Nigeria is indeed a different kettle of fish, not with the bare-faced impunity and unhealthy rivalry and political contestations associated with Nigerian elections vis-a-vis the attitude of ruthless and desperate politicians.

We are gratified to use this public medium to acknowledge and celebrate this gentle giant, a topnotch professional in the management and control of Nigeria’s security sanctuary, the DSS.

Besides the level of sanity, loyalty and fresh innovation we have seen in today’s DSS, the new DG has been commended above all for the seamless collaboration with other sister security agencies that culminated in the smooth and rancor-free handling of election security nationwide.

Little wonder, international election observer missions such as the European Union, the Commonwealth, the African Union, etc that monitored the elections did not mince words when they singled out the Director-General for a mention with regards to personnel motivation, deployment of men and materials and the orderliness witnessed during the elections nationwide.

We cannot but appreciate Mr. President for painstakingly identifying and deploying this round peg in a round hole. There is no doubt that the man in question has a lot more to offer this country in the sector especially with the likelihood of new security challenges rearing up their ugly heads in the 21st century Nigeria. We wish him all the best as he steers the ship of state security in Nigeria.

Congratulations to the man in the mantle, the man of the moment, our spy chief, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Sadiq Mu’azu, Global Community and Grassroot Support Initiative (G-CASI)