DSS withdraws Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer, appoints replacement

The Department of State Service (DSS) has withdrawn Adegboyega Fasasi as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sources at the Presidential Villa said Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a Deputy Director of the secret police, has been appointed to replace Fasasi.

The development was prompted by the need for Fasasi, who has served as CSO since Tinubu assumed office, to proceed on a professional training course.

Sources familiar with the development said the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, had sought the President’s approval for Fasasi’s release to allow him to embark on a strategic training course.

DSS replaces Tinubu’s CSO

Meanwhile, the newly appointed CSO is said to have assumed duty at the Presidential Villa.

Those conversant with the DSS internal protocol said Fasasi’s withdrawal is not strange, adding that the outgoing officer would have anticipated it because it’s a common practice in the service.

The source also added that a reorganisation in various areas of the service, especially around the President, is expected anytime a new DG takes over at the DSS.

“Yes, I heard he has been replaced with another officer because he is being sent on a professional training course. At least that is the reason for his removal that we know.

“Such redeployment is a common exercise, it usually happens when the DSS gets a new DG. You know they deal strictly with intelligence and operate in secrecy, the new DG will always prefer to have his own trusted men on critical beats, the Presidency and the office of the CSO to the President being number one on that list,” the source told Daily Trust.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official confirmation of the redeployment.