DSS Counters Atiku, Says Two Operatives Injured Protecting Sokoto ADC Governorship Candidate

*Arrested Man Who Threatened Obi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed allegations by former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that it is recruiting protesters to cause unrest in Sokoto State and create an excuse for imposing a curfew to disrupt the party’s campaign rally.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the secret police said it was surprised by Atiku’s allegation, noting that two of its operatives were injured and hospitalised while protecting the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Mannir Daniya, from a mob attack.

According to the DSS, its operatives successfully evacuated Daniya to safety during the incident. The agency added that the politician later personally called to appreciate the State Director of the Sokoto Command and requested additional security reinforcement.

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

The DSS said it successfully prosecuted Udeme at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, where he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence.

The statement read in part:

“The attention of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to an allegation by elder statesman and ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that the DSS is organising protests in Sokoto State.

“For the record, DSS operatives deployed to protect the Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, Mannir Daniya, evacuated him to safety, unhurt, on October 31, 2026, when he was attacked in Sokoto. Two DSS operatives were assaulted during the incident and are still receiving treatment in the hospital.

“The governorship candidate personally called to appreciate the State Director of the Sokoto Command and even requested additional reinforcement from the DSS.

“Although these operations to protect members of all political parties contradict the elder statesman’s allegation, which tends to demoralise our gallant operatives risking their lives in the line of duty, the Director-General of the DSS has nevertheless ordered an investigation into the allegation in deference to the elder statesman.

“The Service also uses this medium to recall 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 their swift investigation and preliminary report, which identified an altercation as the cause of the incident, as well as the arrest of 11 suspects. We await the outcome of the Police investigation and will not dissipate energy on the matter.

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