DSS Boss Advocates for Community Self-Defense to Combat Insecurity
The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has called for communities in Nigeria to be allowed some level of armament to defend themselves against invaders. Ajayi made this statement at the annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), where the theme was “Mobilising Stakeholders to Curb Insecurity in Nigeria: A Practical Approach.”
Ajayi cited examples from Bauchi State, where the Siawas and Azare communities successfully repelled invaders due to their knowledge of the local environment and access to weapons. He emphasized that, while national security agencies like the military, police, and DSS play key roles, they cannot be expected to protect every individual or community.
Ajayi highlighted the need for layered defense systems, suggesting that local communities should be empowered to act as the first line of defense against security threats. He pointed out that, given Nigeria’s communal culture, it is possible for citizens to unite and protect their communities.
According to him, the military and other security agencies should focus on tackling larger organized crimes, while communities should be equipped to handle smaller, localized threats. He also urged for a shift in mentality about security, suggesting that waiting for external forces to intervene is no longer a viable solution.
Ajayi stressed that now is the time to start empowering communities for self-defense and that the government should support this initiative.
In his remarks, Major General Garba Wahab (Rtd), Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, echoed the need for better monitoring and evaluation of government security policies. He lamented that the country has paid insufficient attention to security education and noted that the elites have contributed to insecurity by weaponizing security and poverty. Wahab also called for efforts to regain the trust of border communities, who have often been neglected in national security strategies.
