DSS Counters Atiku, Says Two Operatives Were Injured Protecting Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate; Obi Threat Suspect Arrested, Jailed

The Department of State Services (DSS) has punctured a claim by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that it is recruiting protesters to create disorder in Sokoto State and provide an excuse for imposing a curfew to stop the party’s campaign rally.

In a statement on its official X handle, the secret police said it was surprised that Atiku could make such claim days after two of its operatives suffered injuries and were hospitalised while protecting the ADC governorship candidate in the state, Mannir Daniya, from a mob attack.

According to the DSS, after safely evacuating the Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, the politician later called personally to appreciate the State Director of the Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.

The Service recalled that on 2nd March 2026, it arrested one Monday Udeme Steven in Rivers State, for threatening to attack the National Democratic Party (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The DSS stated that it successfully prosecuted Udeme in a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, and that he is currently serving a two-year sentence in prison.

The statement read in full:

“The attention of the DG Department of State Services (DSS) has been been drawn to allegation by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji ATIKU ABUBAKAR that, DSS is organizing protests in Sokoto State.

“For the Records, DSS Operatives deployed to Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate; Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to safety unhurt on 31st October 2026 when attacked in Sokoto. Two (2) DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still being treated in the hospital. The governorship candidate called personally to appreciate the State Director of Sokoto Command and even requested for reinforcement from the DSS.

“Though these operations to protect all Political Parties is at variance with the elder statesman’s allegation and tend to demoralize our gallant operatives who are risking their lives in the line of duty, the DGDSS has still ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman.

“The Service also use this medium to reference a similar allegation by AAC Presidential Candidate Omoyele SOWORE that, the Service was involved in an attack on him in Ekiti State. In this regard, we thank the Police for swift investigation and a preliminary Report on the cause of the incident; “altercation”, coupled with the arrest of eleven (11) suspects. We await the outcome of Police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter.

“The Service will continue to remain accountable under the present DG,” the statement concluded.