The State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), has announced the creation of its official social media accounts.

Development Diaries reports that the secret police prior to now did not have any official social media accounts for its operations.

According to the security agency, the purpose of creating social media accounts was to enhance public and stakeholder engagement in its operations.

In a statement on its website, the DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said the social media handles are @OfficialDSSNG (Twitter); OfficialDSSNG (Facebook); and @OfficialDSSNG (Instagram).

‘Hitherto, the service did not own or operate these handles. Its decision to operate them with effect from March 6, is to enhance public and stakeholder engagements’, he said.

Nigerians react

Following the announcement of its presence on Twitter, various Nigerian tweeps, as expected, have dropped several reactions to it.

@c_omailey said, ‘Welcome on board DSS. Please apply for handle verification. Expect tags and complains from Nigerians. Please be willing to respond’.

Welcome on board DSS. Please apply for handle verification. Expect tags and complains from Nigerians. Please be willing to respond.

— James C. Omailey (@c_omailey) March 6, 2023

This tweep, @mancityis, hopes the presence of DSS on Twitter will be beneficial to citizens.

He wrote, ‘Late, very late but better late than never. However, I hope it will be interactive and beneficial to the citizens. Welcome!’

Late, very late but better late than never. However, I hope it will be interactive and beneficial to the citizens. Welcome!

— ManCity is Blue. 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@mancityis) March 7, 2023

This user, @zanzakiriza1976, said, ‘Time to get to work. Be proactive in responding to threats to national security when reported by citizens and be here not for regime protection but for the protection of Nigerian citizens’.

Time to get to work
Be proactive responding to threats to national security when reported by citizens and be here not for regime protection but for protection of Nigeria citizens.

— Marcel (@Zanzakiriza1976) March 7, 2023

DSS functions 

In light of all these reactions, one would wonder if the majority of Nigerians really understand the roles and functions of the DSS.

Below are the duties of the secret police:

• Prevention and detection of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria
• Protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria
• Prevention, detection and investigation of threats of espionage, subversion, sabotage, terrorism, separatist agitations, inter-group conflicts, economic crimes of national security dimension and threats to law and order
• Provision of protective security for designated principal government functionaries, sensitive installations and visiting dignitaries
• Provision of timely advice to government on all matters of national security interest.

It is expected that with the coming of the DSS to the social media space, there will be constant engagement between the security outfit and Nigerians.

Timing concerns 

One of the questions being asked in reaction to this development is: why did the DSS create the accounts now? Some Nigerians are even wondering if there is something else they need to know.

Development Diaries, meanwhile, hopes that the DSS platforms will offer Nigerians and other social media users an opportunity to learn more about the operations of the security outfit.

This engagement should help to quickly verify reports that relate to the DSS operations and strengthen the fight against misinformation and disinformation.

We, therefore, urge the DSS to ensure timely and regular updates on the platforms while enhancing public and stakeholder engagement in its operations.

Photo source: DSS