Nigeria’s secret Police, the Department of State Services, DSS, has vehemently opposed the funding of Nigeria’s security operations by foreign entities.
Speaking during a public hearing held in Abuja by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on two proposed bills seeking to establish a DSS Security Trust Fund and a Strategic Intelligence Management Institute, a representative of the agency, Emmanuel Daubry warned that such arrangements could threaten national sovereignty, operational secrecy, and institutional independence.
To this end, the DSS recommended clearer funding provisions and changes to the proposed governing board.
The agency specifically rejected foreign contributions to the trust fund, arguing that external funding could create obligations that may expose sensitive intelligence operations, procurement processes, and deployment strategies.
“Foreign donors could influence domestic security priorities in ways that may not align with Nigeria’s unique security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping”.
Addressing the bill, the Agency explained that the fund would also ensure the rapid availability of resources during emergencies such as terrorism attacks, civil unrest, and other security crises.
The DSS cautioned that its functions could overlap with those of existing institutions and suggested that the institute’s mandate should be limited to external intelligence, foreign intelligence operations, and international intelligence cooperation to avoid duplication.
It further sought amendments to relevant sections of the bill and called for revisions to its explanatory memorandum to reflect the recommended changes.
