REVEALED: Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil That Led to the Resignation of Nigeria’s Top Spymasters

The reasons behind the recent resignations of the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar, have come to light.

Sources within the Presidency revealed that President Bola Tinubu, along with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, scrutinized the intelligence-gathering methods of these agencies following the violent #EndBadGovernance protests in northern states and the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft in France.

Bichi was held accountable for the lack of effective intelligence that could have prevented the violent protests, while Abubakar faced criticism for the NIA’s failure to anticipate the seizure of the jets by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company.

The aircraft, including a newly purchased Airbus, were confiscated by a French court due to a legal dispute between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government.

The #EndBadGovernance protest, which started on August 1, escalated into violence in Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Bauchi states, contrasting with the relatively peaceful demonstrations in the South-West. Public and private properties were vandalized, shops were looted, and mayhem ensued, leading to the imposition of curfews in Kano, Bauchi, and Plateau states.

The protests were fueled by public frustration over the removal of fuel subsidies, electricity tariff hikes, and the soaring cost of living.

Bichi, who hails from Kano State—a focal point of the unrest—was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2018. Abubakar, from Katsina State, also received his appointment from Buhari in January 2018. Insiders disclosed that both Tinubu and Ribadu were deeply embarrassed by the events surrounding the jet seizure and the violent protests.

“The seizure of the presidential jets and the violent nature of the #EndBadGovernance protest embarrassed the President nationally and internationally. The President was displeased with the NIA and DSS bosses. This was why he requested the resignation of the two security chiefs,” said one of the sources.

Before the protests, Bichi and Ribadu were reportedly at odds, with tensions escalating to the point where Bichi was unable to secure an audience with the President. The fallout from the northern demonstrations provided the Presidency with a compelling reason to demand Bichi’s resignation.

Abubakar resigned on August 24 after a meeting with President Tinubu, while Bichi’s resignation was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on August 26.

Within the DSS, Bichi’s exit was met with mixed reactions. Some officers, speaking anonymously, described his departure as “freedom from unprofessionalism,” citing his alleged misconduct, including undue interference by his wife and son in the agency’s operations. A video purportedly showing DSS staff celebrating his resignation quickly circulated online, though one X user claimed the video was taken at the Kogi State DSS office during a different celebration.

Disgruntled DSS officers accused Bichi of impeding their career advancement by extending the service years of officers due for retirement and neglecting their welfare, particularly regarding salary increments promised by the Federal Government. Others criticized his recruitment practices, alleging nepotism and favoritism, particularly towards individuals from his home state of Kano.

The former DSS boss also faced severe public criticism. Jafaar Jafaar, publisher of Daily Nigerian, took to X, accusing Bichi of turning the DSS into a “graveyard of career aspirations.” He alleged that Bichi lowered recruitment standards, extended the tenure of favored directors, and allowed his family to abuse power at the agency’s expense.

Bichi’s tenure was marked by several controversial operations, including the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, who was re-arrested by DSS operatives despite a court order for his release. Other notable incidents involved the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate, and the detention of a citizen over a SIM card previously used by Hanan Buhari, the former President’s daughter.

Efforts to reach Bichi for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.