Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has detailed a sweeping reform agenda, signaling a profound shift for one of Nigeria’s most secretive institutions.
Speaking on the occasion of the agency’s 40th anniversary, the SSS chief, also known as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), announced an end to arbitrary arrests for civil matters and a new policy of proactively compensating victims of wrongful detention.
Oluwatosin Ajayi’s new doctrine of restorative justice
This marks a stark departure from the SSS of the past, an organisation often criticised for extrajudicial actions and a disregard for human rights. The shift is not merely rhetorical; Ajayi confirmed the agency has already paid out over 300 million naira to citizens who were wronged.
For decades, the SSS has been perceived by many Nigerians as an instrument of state power, associated with arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions without trial, and a general hostility towards dissent. DG Ajayi, a career officer who rose through the ranks over 34 years, acknowledged this history and presented a clear vision for change, anchored in what he calls “restorative justice.”
The core of this new doctrine is accountability. “You cannot do injury to someone, go on to admit that it was a mistake and then refuse to seek restitution,” Ajayi stated in the interview. This principle has been put into practice with a review of past injustices.
One of the most striking examples is the case of a Jos businessman who was mistakenly shot by operatives in 2016. A court ordered a N10 million compensation that was never paid.
Upon assuming office in August 2024, Ajayi not only ordered the original sum to be paid but added another N10 million and provided medical treatment and business support, transforming the victim into an employer.
This is not an isolated incident. An Abuja-based businesswoman mistakenly arrested during an operation targeting oil bunkerers received N10 million and support to rebuild her business. The Ifedi couple, wrongly detained as terrorists, were released and compensated.
In another case, four university students in Cross River State whose phones were damaged during an operation had their devices replaced and were also awarded educational scholarships. Ajayi noted these actions are about rebuilding trust, reflecting a broader societal need for individuals to confront and resolve their own unfinished personal business.
“An Intelligence Service that is completely alienated from the people by its conduct might not get the credible information it needs,” he explained.
Separating civil disputes from state security
A cornerstone of the reform is a strict new directive from the Director-General. “I have told my people that there should be no arrest in any civil case,” Ajayi declared. This addresses a long-standing grievance where the SSS was often accused of wading into business disagreements, contract disputes, and other non-criminal matters, often with force.
The old playbook of conflating civil and criminal issues is being torn up.
Ajayi cited recent examples where the agency chose the courts over confrontation. When activist Pat Utomi attempted to establish a “shadow government,” the SSS sought judicial interpretation rather than arresting him. The court subsequently ruled the act unconstitutional.
Similarly, in a dispute with the civil society group SERAP, which accused operatives of invasion, the SSS supported its operatives in suing for defamation, a case they won.
These instances reflect a fundamental change in approach, where legal processes are now the default for matters that don’t involve terrorism or violent crime, a notable shift as discussions surrounding old political rhetoric often touch upon the role of state agencies.
Mending fences with the fourth estate
Perhaps the most visible change has been the SSS’s relationship with the media. Once regarded as one of the primary threats to press freedom in Nigeria, the agency is now actively seeking partnership. Ajayi, who has received awards from the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), attributes this to a simple change in perspective.
“Journalists do similar work to what we do,” he said. “The only difference is that, while you inform the public, we inform the Government.” Under his leadership, the SSS no longer arrests journalists for critical or inaccurate reporting. The new protocol is to first request a retraction or correction.
If a news organisation refuses, the agency’s recourse is through the courts, not through force. The protection of a free press is vital for a country where individuals rely on open expression to tell their stories.
This policy was tested when some media outlets reported that the SSS had invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly. The agency demanded a retraction within seven days, which was issued, and the matter was closed without arrests. According to Ajayi, this approach is more effective and builds goodwill. “Our energy is focused on terrorists and other criminals, not on fighting our partners,” he insisted.
Forging a new path on collaboration and prosecution
Beyond its public-facing reforms, the SSS is also changing how it works internally and with other security bodies. DG Ajayi has taken a firm stance against the inter-agency rivalry that has historically plagued Nigeria’s security apparatus. “Anytime you see it happen, it is because a leader encourages it,” he said, making it clear that collaboration is not optional under his command.
He pointed to the recent rescue operation in Oriire, Oyo State, as a model of this new synergy. The operation involved the DSS, Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and local vigilantes, with the commanding officer publicly crediting every agency involved.
This cooperative spirit, Ajayi argues, is essential for tackling the complex security challenges facing the nation, from banditry to terrorism linked with international groups like Al-Qaeda.
The agency is also becoming more methodical in its core business of securing convictions. Ajayi emphasised the importance of “diligent prosecution,” noting that strong evidence is paramount. “It is not enough to allege that someone committed a crime; you must prove it,” he said.
This focus on solid casework has led to significant convictions, including life sentences for Ansaru leaders involved in the Abuja/Kaduna train attack. In an environment where information security is key to national security, this focus on legally sound prosecution represents a critical evolution.
When asked about the lack of executions for those on death row, Ajayi suggested that the current reality of brutal terrorism might force authorities to reconsider their hesitation in signing death warrants.
An insider’s revolution
What makes these reforms particularly noteworthy is that they are being driven by an insider. Ajayi is not a political appointee brought in to clean house; he is a product of the very system he is now trying to change. He started as a Cadet Officer and spent 34 years within the service.
“I grew up in the Service… I therefore acknowledge our challenges and problems. I also know the strengths and weaknesses of the system,” he stated.
This lifelong experience has informed his strategy, which includes unconventional recruitment methods, such as hiring from orphanages to find “our best brains” and reduce societal discontent. For Ajayi, the mission is clear: to build an intelligence agency that derives its strength from public trust, not public fear.
The question that remains is whether this profound cultural shift can be permanently embedded into the DNA of the SSS and outlive the tenure of the man who started it.
