Nigeria's DSS Boss And His Well-Deserved Medal Of Honour

By Kenneth Atavti 

While a section of Nigerians queried President Muhammadu Buhari's 437-or-so-man list of recipients for National Honours, almost no one muttered against the consideration of Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi (CFR), the Director-General of Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS).

With over 40 years experience in security and intelligence gathering matters up his sleeves, there was never any doubt that Bichi would deliver when he was drafted to replace Mathew Seiyefa in 2018. 

His conferment with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) was well-deserved.

"Today, 11th October, 2022, the Director General, Department of State Services, was conferred with the National Honour Award of COMMANDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (CFR) by the President and Commander-in-Chief President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The honour is in recognition of DGSS' sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country. 

"The Management and Staff of the DSS rejoice with the DG on this momentous occasion and wish him good health and greater heights. 

"Congratulations, DG, Sir: Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc," Peter Afunanya, DSS Public Relations Officer wrote in hearty felicitation. 

Because of the classified nature of their dealings, many of the DSS achievements, especially under the helms of Bichi, remain unsung. Except on very rare cases, their successes are not escalated across the media space. “My vision is to create a friendly work environment, enhance staff capacity through training and welfare, as well as ensure that the DSS remains a democratically-complaint intelligence agency in Nigeria”. These were his watch words to which he has largely lived up to.

On October 11, 2022, when the man of valour was rewarded for his professional diligence, the Presidency noted that the honour was in recognition of his "sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country".

*His Achievements*

His era birthed a new wave of professionalism and precision in Nigeria's elite secret police. His leadership has brought organisational change and development. His skill and capacity has been tested in the ways he has managed the existential threats confronting the country. From the EndSARS protests in 2020, to kidnapping, armed bandits, insurgency, economic crimes, etc. Bichi championed the synergy between other security agencies to take constructive actions that addressed threats that came before, during, and after the EndSARS protest.

So many high profile crimes have been busted with the aid of intelligence shared among sister security agencies under his leadership. Some of these include the case of pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina who was nabbed and brought to his knees to answer for his crimes. Also, he has inspired successes in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the North East and North West regions. His leadership has steadily provided intelligence for anti-corruption agencies as part of efforts in the fight against financial crimes.

DG Bichi's recognition and award confirms the postulation that the reward for a good work done, is more work. But of course his reward is a prestigious gold medal that he can wear with dignified pride. Under his watch, Nigeria's secret police is now getting commendation and positive feedbacks from fervent critics for their many successful operations and exploits that are all geared towards ensuring that Nigeria’s internal security and indivisibility is guaranteed. 

Security experts have posited that the DSS under Bichi's leadership, have become thecountry's five senses and the pillars upon which the security of the country is solidified. It would be recalled that after the 2019 presidential election, an election monitoring group- International Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, honored Bichi, with an award. "The award was in recognition of the exemplary performance by the Service and its personnel during the just concluded 2019 general elections," the group said.

The DSS boss has continued to ensure the protection of democratic institutions in the country. This would in turn strengthen the country's democratic culture, provide policy support to all levels of government through timely dissemination of intelligence, providing timely security education for the public through effective information and communication management. 

Truth be told, his many reforms has improved overall public confidence in the DSS and reversed previously held notions that it is unfriendly. There has been routine training and capacity building for staff, acquisition of new tools and technological capacity to meet contemporary challenges, partnership with strategic groups, strategic communication and robust fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Courtesy of Bichi, the Service now has improved documentation systems; Information Technology (IT) facilities for various administrative and operational purposes; massive conversion and upgrading of qualified staff; landscaping and beautification of the national headquarters; sponsorship of local and international training programmes for personnel to enhance their capacity to surmount emerging threats.

He has also overseen the formation of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and Tactical Teams to respond to emergencies; continuous expansion of health facility and purchase of modern medical equipment for enhanced staff welfare; sustained collaboration with sister agencies as well as effective collaboration with strategic stakeholders and partners; and attraction of projects from strategic stakeholders.

*About Bichi*

Born on February 23, 1956 in Hagagawa Qtrs of Bichi Local Government, Kano State, Bichi attended Kano State College of Advanced Studies between 1975–1977, and later Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1977–1980 where he bagged a degree in Political Science.

He later attended strategic training at the National Defence College, Abuja, where he obtained a certificate with the authorization to use Fellow War College (FWC).

Prior to his appointment by President Buhari on September 14, 2018, Bichi was Director of Administration and Finance at the DSS Headquarters from 2015–2017.

He began his career in the Security Division of the Cabinet Office in Kano State from 1981 to 1984, and in 1984, he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization, the precursor of the present State Security Service, now renamed Department of State Services, where he rose to the rank of Director and served in several states, including Niger, Sokoto, Abia, Bauchi, Lagos and the FCT.

Atavti, is the Crime/ Judicial Editor of Nigerian pilot Newspaper in Abuja.

Gov. Diri Laments Flood Devastation In Bayelsa

Presents Cash Gifts To Communities 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has bemoaned the devastation of property and the hardship visited on people of the state by flood.

Governor Diri, on Thursday, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities and described it as very dire.

The governor, who was accompanied by the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei and Ayibaina Duba respectively as well as other top government functionaries, made stops at Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.

He also visited Odi and Kaiama communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

While addressing the people in Izon dialect, the governor said he wanted to get first hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.

He encouraged them not to despair even as he acknowledged that it was a trying period for everyone.

Diri presented cash gifts to the affected communities and assured them that relief materials will immediately get to them through the task force on flooding.

He equally called on Bayelsans to look out for one another and accommodate victims as homes and communities were being sacked.

His words: “I felt this was not the time for me to sit in my office while my brothers and sisters are in pains, hunger and in want. So I came to see things for myself. 

“Roads have been overtaken by flood, houses submerged and the people are now internally displaced.

“We have sought out some high grounds where some of them will be resettled temporarily. We have also made palliative and medicines available.

“I came out in order to comfort the people so that they will know that their government stands with them in their time of trouble.

“Water has no respect for anybody as my house is also flooded in my community. So, everybody should be strong and be careful this period, particularly the women. Your children should not go into the water. It is a very tempting period but I know God will see us through. 

“I have approved N450 million to provide succour for the people, which is the first tranche. Having seen things for myself, we will approve more money so our people can have something to eat while they go through this experience.”

The governor called on the federal government to come to the aid of the state as the present situation was beyond the resources of the state government just as he restated his call for the building of a dam around the River Niger.

The state’s helmsman also said he would consider inviting state governors in the low areas of the country to brainstorm on a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting the people along river lines.

In separate responses, the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Salo Adikumo, the Amananaowei of Sagbama community and the Community Development Committee chairman of Adagbabiri community, Mr. Oyinke Ekiye, expressed their profound gratitude to the governor for his magnanimity towards them.

They prayed God to give him the strength, vigour and mind to attend to the needs of the people at this discomforting times of the state.

Bayelsa Task Force on Flooding Visits Affected Communities

Promises Succour For Victims

The Bayelsa State Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, at the weekend, visited some affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the impact.

Communities visited in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas included Tombia-Ekpetiama, Odi, Sampou, Kaiama, Gbaranma  Sabagreia, Okoloba, Biseni and neighbouring communities as well as some areas within the Yenagoa metropolis.

Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the task force, Iselema Gbaranbiri, lamented the impact of the flooding in Biseni community, which he said was almost totally submerged. 

Gbaranbiri sympathised with people of the area on behalf of the Governor, who he said was passionate about their wellbeing hence the setting up of the task force on flood mitigation on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting.

On the situation in parts of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA such as Odi and Sampou, Gbaranbiri said both communities were relatively safe at the moment due to the water barrier built by the government while areas like Gbarama, Sabagreia, Okoloba and Kaiama were heavily impacted with institutions such as the Ijaw National Academy, the Girls Secondary School in Kaiama and the Bayelsa State Sports Institute at Asoama flooded. 

The Environment Commissioner explained that the essence of the on-the-spot assessment was to get first-hand information about the situation and identify areas of need for government to provide succour to the people. 

While calling on the Federal Government to assist the state government in alleviating the sufferings of victims, he stated that other local governments areas will be visited and that succour would be provided for those affected in form of building of higher grounds, provision of relief materials and medicals. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the concrete water barrier built in three communities was a pilot project based on the advice of his ministry.

He noted that the trial water barrier has proved to be effective so far, saying government was still monitoring its effectiveness.

He assured that a decision will be taken by the government to replicate them in other communities and possibly improve on them. 

Teibowei stated that the state government also implemented a home-grown technology in parts of Yenagoa such as the Epie creek in Okutukutu area, which has prevented the area and parts of Opolo from being flooding so far.

He said a similar measure will be replicated around down Yenagoa, Obele, the Law School at Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa. 

He expressed optimism that by the time the home-grown technology, which has been implemented in parts of Yenagoa metropolis, was fully implemented, the issue of flooding will be mitigated in the state. 

Also, the Director of Operations, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr. Ayii Aziowei, sympathsed with those affected, stating that the government would do its best to provide relief for victims.

PDP ‘Crisis’ Over Soon - Gov Diri

Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed the conviction that the feud within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon become a thing of the past.

Senator Diri stated this on Sunday during the PDP South-South Zonal Stakeholders meeting at the Ibom Hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off on Monday.

The Bayelsa governor, who described the PDP as a big family that has held sway in the South-South geo-political zone, noted that in such large families there were bound to be disagreements.

His words: "South-South is the only zone that has a preponderance of PDP governors. Therefore,  it should be the zone to kick-off the PDP presidential campaign. 

“We have also been lucky to produce the vice presidential candidate. 

"PDP will continue to demonstrate strength in the six states of the South-South. Our party is a big family and in any of such families, it is normal to have differences. I strongly believe that the differences would be settled soon and we will come back as one indivisible party.

"Our region is blessed with human and material resources as well as politically and we will continue to add value to Nigeria and the party."

In his remarks, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the essence of the meeting was to strategise on how to mobilise the people at all levels to ensure a landslide victory for the party in next year's general election.

Senator Okowa also acknowledged the role of the PDP governors in development of the region, stressing that time had come for the party to rescue the country from insecurity and economic downturn.

Also speaking, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, noted that with the impressive turnout of stakeholders at the meeting, it was a clear indication that the party was ready to clinch victory in 2023.

According to him, the outcome of the Edo and Osun elections was a clear testimony that the PDP was the party to reckon with in the election.

In his contribution, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, described the PDP as the pillar of the South-South region

Mr. Emmanuel underscored the need to go into the election as a strong team not only to make a strong impact but also to ensure that the party took over the leadership of the country in order to reposition the economy.

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, former governors of Edo, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke, Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, were among party leaders that delivered goodwill messages at the meeting.

Northwest Ireland: Seven Killed In Petrol Station Blast

By Ebi Kesiena

Seven people have been killed in an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal in Ireland’s northwest, police said on Saturday.

The Garda Siochana police force said eight people were hospitalised as “the search and recovery for further fatalities continue” at the site in the village of Creeslough.

Rescue efforts by Ireland’s emergency services went on through the night at the scene where on Friday afternoon an explosion had ripped through a petrol station forecourt and the facade of a nearby apartment complex.

Ireland’s police, fire, ambulance service, and coast guard, and the air ambulance service from Northern Ireland as well as a specialist team from the UK-run province were in attendance.

Letterkenny University Hospital, 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the explosion was placed on an emergency footing as it said in a statement it was dealing with “multiple injuries”.

Ireland’s Premier Micheal Martin said in a statement that his “thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion”.

“People across this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life,” 

Also, thanking members of the emergency services who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.

Israel: Authorities Discover Bodies Of 2 Soldiers Killed In Independence War 74 Years Ago

Enyichukwu Enemanna 

The Israel Defense Forces, IDF on Friday announced it has identified the remains of two troops killed at the war front with Egyptian forces during the War of Independence, over 74 years after their deaths.

Yitzhak Rubinstein and Binyamin Aryeh Eisenberg, both members of the Palmach, were among the troops who defended Kibbutz Yad Mordechai from an Egyptian attack in May 1948, days after Israel declared independence.

The two, along with Palmach medic Livka Shefer, were captured by the Egyptians while Eisenberg was evacuated on a stretcher to a nearby kibbutz. It was unknown where they were taken and in 1952 they were recognized as fallen soldiers whose remains are missing.

According to the military, Shefer’s body was found in the village of Majdal (today Ashkelon) in 1949 and then moved to a mass grave in Kibbutz Nitzanim, where it was identified four years ago.

Citing an “intensive investigation” it conducted over the past decade, the IDF said it determined that the remains of Rubinstein and Eisenberg were similarly buried at Nitzanim, without further elaborating.

The military said their relatives were informed Friday morning of the development by Maj. Gen. Yaniv Assor, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate.

With the latest development, the names of Eisenberg and Rubenstein will be added to the memorial at Nitzanim, as was Shefer’s. A ceremony is due to be held in the coming weeks.

“Every Hebrew mother should know that we will not give up until all the children of Israel are returned to their graves and we’ve revealed the burial places of those martyrs whose burial places are unknown,” Assor said in a statement. “Today, the State of Israel and the IDF have fulfilled its moral obligation in establishing the burial sites of Benjamin Aryeh Eisenberg and Yitzhak Rubenstein.”

Eisenberg, born in Poland, 1927, moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1946. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Palmach, the elite fighting unit of the pre-state Haganah militia. Rubinstein, who was born in Ukraine in 1913, joined the Palmach after arriving on a refugee boat in 1938.

The IDF said both were killed in battle on May 24, 1948.

Shefer, Rubinstein and Eisenberg have all been awarded ranks posthumously, as there was not yet an IDF to be part of when they were alive.

With few exceptions, the military continues to search for the bodies of soldiers whose burial places are unknkown, sometimes decades after their death.

South Africa: Ex-President Jacob Zuma Freed From Prison

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been set free following the expiry of his prison sentence for contempt of court, a government department said on Friday.

Zuma received a 15-month sentence last year after he ignored instructions to participate in a corruption inquiry, thereby committing a court contempt. 

He handed himself in on July 7 last year to begin his sentence, which led to the worst violence South Africa had seen in years as his angry supporters took to the streets.

In a statement, Zuma said he felt relieved to be a free man and thanked his supporters.

"The... messages of support on social media and other platforms kept me strong and focused on ensuring that those who wanted to break my spirit and resolve do not succeed," he said.

Zuma was released on medical parole in September 2021. But in December, the high court set aside the parole decision and ordered him to return to jail. Zuma appealed the ruling and remained on parole pending the appeal outcome.

His appeal had not been determined by the time his sentence expired.

"Mr Zuma complied with his conditions for medical parole as set out during his placement," the Correctional Services department said in a statement.

"All administrative processes have now been concluded and the sentence expiry date marks the end of him serving his sentence under community corrections."