…Buhari appoints Magaji Bichi as DSS Boss***
The Federal Government has instituted a Joint Security Patrol in Katsina state along Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic to check smuggling and influx of illegal immigrants.
The Minister of Interior, retired Lt . Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau, Thursday indicated this when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, just as President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Dambazau, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Bello Tambuwal, explained that the action was targeted at curbing smuggling and illegal migration through the borders.
He highlighted that the government was already contemplating air border patrol, and fencing sensitive parts of the borders in the long run, all in efforts to check smuggling and illegal migration.
The minister revealed that the patrol base would be sited on Jibia road, and be manned by a joint team of officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service, the army, Nigeria Customs Service , and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; noting that the nation’s border with Niger Republic covers more than 1,000 kilometers crossing some states of the federation.
He further explained that there was a long history of trading and inter-communal relations between Nigerians and Nigeriens particularly those residing along the border communities.
The minister pointed out that the ties made the borders to become porous and difficult to monitor, resulting in the influx of contrabands and illegal migrants that have aggravated insecurity in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Gov. Masari commended the initiative saying that the joint border patrol would go along way in curbing human trafficking that has been a major ongoing challenge, along the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, Masari said that the joint border patrol would also complement the state government efforts at combating cattle rustling along the same borders.
Meanwhile, the President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu confirmed this in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday, saying the appointment is with immediate effect.
He also described the appointee as a core ‘Secret Service’ operative who 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.
He said Bichi had 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 added.
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.
Bichi also served as Director at State Service Academy.
