Alkassim Mohammed, a legal practitioner based in Bauchi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). Ajayi, who was previously the Assistant DG of the security agency under the Office of the President, has taken over from Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Alkassim expressed that Ajayi’s appointment was not surprising, given his impressive track record. Reflecting on his experiences with Ajayi, Alkassim recounted, “I first met Mr. Ajayi in 2014 when he served as the State Director of DSS in Bauchi. His approach to security issues impressed many legal practitioners in the state.”
Alkassim highlighted a notable case from 2014 where he handled a matter involving national security, during which the DSS, under Ajayi’s leadership, sought his client. He recalled how Ajayi gave prominence to his letter offering to produce his client for questioning, which led to a swift and fair resolution. “Mr. Ajayi shook my hand, encouraged by the cooperative approach lawyers were taking,” Alkassim said.
Alkassim also praised Ajayi’s efforts in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East during his tenure as the DSS Director in Bauchi, emphasizing that his effective handling of security challenges at the time made him well-suited for his new role as DG.
He described President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Ajayi as a wise move, believing that the new DSS chief would not fail Nigeria. Alkassim urged Ajayi to prioritize the welfare of DSS personnel and maintain his commitment to the rule of law. “I congratulate Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi on his well-deserved appointment,” he added.
He further encouraged Ajayi to work closely with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and to ensure the nation’s security challenges are effectively managed, stating that “all eyes will be on him to curb the security issues plaguing Nigeria.”
