DSS Under Ajayi Implements Human Rights Reforms

Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi was appointed as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in August 2024, succeeding Alhaji Yusuf Bichi.

His leadership has emphasized operational shifts and institutional changes, prioritizing intelligence-led operations and fostering collaboration with civil society. Under Ajayi's human rights reform policy, the DSS publicly approved financial compensation for at least 13 individuals wrongfully detained or affected by operational errors.

Notably, a Sokoto-based trader received ₦20 million for being mistakenly shot during a 2016 raid, while an Abuja businesswoman wrongfully arrested for oil bunkering received ₦10 million. Five others co-detained in the same investigation shared an additional ₦10 million.

These compensations reflect Ajayi's commitment to acknowledging past mistakes and ensuring adherence to the rule of law. The DSS, under Ajayi, aims to operate within legal confines, contrasting its previous reputation for human rights violations.