President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from September 14, the appointment of Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General (DG) of the Department of State Service (DSS).
He replaces Mr Matthew Seiyefa, who had headed the outfit in an acting capacity since August 7, 2018.
Seiyefa, from Bayelsa State, assumed the position as the most senior member of the service following the removal of the substantive DG, Lawal Daura, over the siege on the National Assembly.
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), the new appointee is a core Secret Service operative.
Bichi attended Danbatta Secondary School, Kano State College of Advanced Studies and 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 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, counterintelligence and protective operation and human resource management.
In the course of his career, 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.
He is married and with children.
National Tribune
