The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has directed operatives of the Service to stop arresting people over civil disputes.
Ajayi gave the directive in an interview published on Thursday, September 3, 2026, saying it was part of reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, accountability and respect for human rights.
He said the reforms cover law enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, accountability, human rights, and infrastructural and administrative improvements.
According to him, the changes have also sharpened the distinction between civil and criminal matters, which he said had previously been blurred within the Service.
Ajayi said force should not be used to resolve civil disputes, adding that some criminal cases could also be handled without coercion.
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He cited the case involving political economist Prof. Pat Utomi over his proposed “shadow government”. Instead of arresting Utomi, he said, the DSS sought judicial interpretation, after which the court ruled that the proposed arrangement was unconstitutional, illegal and a threat to national security.
He also cited the dispute involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which accused two DSS operatives of invading its Abuja office in September 2024.
The matter later produced a defamation suit by DSS operatives Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele. On May 5, 2026, an FCT High Court in Abuja awarded N100 million in damages against SERAP. The organisation appealed the judgment on May 8.
Ajayi said the case illustrated the approach he expects the DSS to adopt in civil matters, use the courts, not arrest.
He said the policy also covers disputes involving journalists, whom he described as “professional colleagues”, explaining that journalists inform the public while the DSS provides intelligence to government.
The DSS chief said the reforms were designed to promote professionalism and accountability while keeping the agency focused on legitimate security and law-enforcement responsibilities.