How #EndBadGovernance Protest Led To The Resignation Of DSS, NIA Chiefs

How #EndBadGovernance Protest Led To The Resignation Of DSS, NIA Chiefs

The sudden resignation of Yusuf Bichi, the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and Ahmed Abubakar, the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has been linked to dissatisfaction within the highest levels of Nigeria’s government over their agencies’ performance.

Sources within the Presidency revealed that President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu raised concerns about the intelligence gathering capabilities of both agencies following two major incidents: the violent #EndBadGovernance protests in several northern states and the unexpected seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft in France by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited.

Bichi was reportedly blamed for the DSS’s failure to provide actionable intelligence to prevent or mitigate the violence that erupted during the protests, which began on August 1. The demonstrations, sparked by widespread hardship due to the removal of fuel subsidies, electricity tariff hikes, and the escalating cost of living, turned violent in states like Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Bauchi, resulting in the destruction of public and private properties.

Abubakar faced scrutiny over the NIA’s inability to preempt the legal actions taken by Zhongshan, which resulted in the seizure of Nigerian presidential jets in France. The aircraft, including a newly acquired Airbus, were seized following a French court ruling related to a longstanding legal dispute between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government.

These incidents reportedly embarrassed both President Tinubu and NSA Ribadu, prompting the leadership changes. Bichi and Abubakar, both appointees of former President Muhammadu Buhari, resigned in late August 2024. Their resignations mark a significant shift in the country’s security and intelligence leadership, reflecting the growing pressure on these agencies to address national security challenges effectively.