The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, has officially removed Adeboyega Fasasi from his position as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This significant development, confirmed by multiple reliable security sources, was reported by Daily Nigerian over the weekend.
Fasasi has been replaced by Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a deputy director currently engaged in a fellowship at the National Institute for Security Studies. The transition appears to have been approved by President Tinubu following a request from the DSS Director General, which typically suggests sending a high-ranking official on a “strategic course.” Such reassignments are common when transitioning security personnel close to the president.
According to insiders, Lawal had been slated for promotion to director in July 2023; however, his advancement was postponed under the former service leadership. Reports indicate that he was overlooked for promotion in favor of junior officers, including Koko, Milad, and Fasasi, due to perceived internal favoritism under the previous administration.
“Lawal should have been promoted since July 2023, but his promotion was overlooked in favor of juniors,” a source informed Daily Nigerian. This background highlights the complex dynamics within the DSS and the political environment surrounding presidential security appointments.
Fasasi’s removal may also be attributed to allegations of high-handedness and his reported friction with key figures in the president’s circle. Sources noted that Fasasi “stepped on many influential toes,” leading to dissatisfaction with his coordination of the office from the president.
In the context of the DSS’s practices, it is customary for a new Director General to replace the president’s CSO, selecting someone they trust and feel comfortable working with. This tradition was similarly observed in March 2019 when former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the redeployment of his CSO, Bashir Abubakar, and replaced him with Idris Ahmed. In that instance, the former DSS DG, Yusuf Bichi, had convinced Buhari that Abubakar was due for a “strategic course” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which facilitated his replacement.
As the DSS navigates these changes, the implications of these appointments extend beyond personal dynamics, potentially affecting the security framework surrounding the presidency and the overall stability of the administration. The selection of Lawal as the new CSO reflects a strategic shift within the security apparatus as it adapts to the current administration’s needs and priorities.
