Tosin Ajayi: Redefining Security With Justice And Accountability

By John Akinmurele

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has long been central to the nation’s security architecture, but not without controversies over alleged excesses and perceived disregard for judicial processes. Since assuming office as Director General, however, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi has quietly introduced a new culture of accountability, fairness, and professionalism that is earning the Service renewed public trust.

A New Face of the DSS

Earlier this year, the DSS released Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, who had been wrongfully arrested in a suspected oil bunkering operation. More than her freedom, what drew national attention was the ₦10 million compensation package approved by Ajayi to atone for her wrongful detention.

In the same operation, five other persons also wrongfully arrested were released and collectively awarded ₦10 million. Security analysts described the gesture as “unprecedented in Nigeria’s intelligence community.”

“This is not an isolated case,” said a senior security source familiar with the reforms. “Under Ajayi, the DSS has consistently released wrongfully detained persons and compensated them. What has become newsworthy is the consistency and openness with which these corrections are made.”

Obedience to Court Orders

One of Ajayi’s most celebrated interventions involved a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in 2016. A Federal High Court had awarded ₦10 million in damages to the victim, but the judgment remained unenforced for eight years, until Ajayi took office.

Not only did the DSS pay the ₦10 million under his directive, Ajayi doubled it to ₦20 million and further granted the victim free lifetime medical care.

For human rights lawyers, this is a watershed moment. “For decades, security agencies in Nigeria have been accused of ignoring court orders. Ajayi’s leadership has shown that obedience to judicial rulings is not weakness, but a cornerstone of democracy,” said Lagos-based lawyer Chidi Nnaji.

Institutionalizing Due Process

Ajayi admits that even the best-trained security operatives can make mistakes. But his difference lies in how those mistakes are managed. Shortly after assuming office, he directed the DSS Legal Department to enforce strict due process in all cases.

Today, all investigation officers must conduct painstaking evidence-based inquiries before carrying out any arrests. By prioritizing thorough investigations over hasty detentions, the Service is significantly reducing wrongful arrests and rebuilding credibility.

Views on Curbing Insecurity

Nigeria is battling complex security challenges, from insurgency and banditry to cybercrime and violent extremism. Ajayi’s approach emphasizes intelligence-led operations, early detection of threats, and collaboration with sister security agencies.

But unlike many before him, he ties security directly to justice. “Security cannot be sustained in a climate of injustice,” Ajayi has repeatedly said at internal briefings. “Our duty is not only to protect Nigeria, but also to protect the rights of Nigerians.”

His philosophy aligns with global best practice. According to Transparency International, 70% of successful national security reforms worldwide include elements of judicial accountability and citizen trust-building, principles Ajayi is embedding into the DSS.

Restoring Public Trust

By compensating victims, obeying court rulings, and insisting on due process, Ajayi is gradually reshaping public perception of the DSS. Always seen as an agency feared for its secrecy, the DSS is now gaining recognition for admitting errors and correcting them transparently.

Security analysts note that this cultural reset is not cosmetic. “Public trust is a national security asset,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a lecturer in Security Studies at the University of Abuja. “When citizens believe the DSS acts fairly, intelligence gathering becomes easier, and cooperation with communities increases. Ajayi understands this well.”

Conclusion

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the leadership of Tosin Ajayi at the DSS offers a glimpse of how security agencies can blend firmness with fairness. In obeying the courts, compensating victims of wrongful detention, and enforcing accountability within the Service, Ajayi is proving that justice and security are not mutually exclusive.

For a country still wrestling with insecurity, corruption, and distrust in institutions, Ajayi’s reforms stand as both a corrective measure and an inspiring vision of what is possible when security agencies uphold the rule of law.