Shake-up In DSS: Marilyn Ogar, 44 Others Sacked

The Department of State Security (DSS) has shown its former spokesman Marilyn Ogar, the door out of the country’s secret police. Ogar, 15 other senior officers and two directors have been retired compulsorily.

A signal from the leadership of the service Wednesday night listed the former DSS spokesperson as one of those affected by the sack. No reason was given for the compulsory retirement.

Ogar, a former deputy director in charge of Public Relations, suffered a similar fate two months ago shortly after the inauguration of the present government when she was summarily sacked. She also lost her recent promotion following President Muhammadu Buhari’s nullification of the promotion exercise.

Ogar and 44 other officers were beneficiaries of a promotion exercise carried out in the service in March, contrary to the policy in DSS that promotions were to be done at the end of each year. The promotion drew the ire of many Nigerians who felt that it was reward for election duties.

Shortly after his assumption of office, the new DSS Director General Lawal Daura, who succeeded former DG Ita Ekpeyong, reversed the promotions. Unconfirmed reports said Ogar was redeployed to Maiduguri, Borno State after her demotion but she refused to comply.

Ogar’s promotion to deputy director followed a presidential commendation by former president Goodluck Jonathan who, it appeared, was impressed by her public enlightenment campaigns on anti-terrorism.

DSS refused to appoint a spokesman to replace Ogar months after her removal, and it brought the service criticisms from Nigerians and the media which felt that the Service should have a voice.

-Leadership

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