By Dipo Olowookere
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The appointment of Mr Bichi, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, is with effect from Friday, September 14, 2018.
The new chief of Nigeria’s secret police replaces Mr Matthew Seiyefa, who was appointed as the acting DG of DSS by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last month.
This followed the sacking of Mr Lawal Daura by Mr Osinbajo, who was then the Acting President.
Mr Bichi attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
Mr Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.
In the course of his career, Mr Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.
He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.
He also served as Director at State Service Academy.
