Daura is new DG of DSS as Ekpeyong resigns

Ita Ekpeyong (pictured, first left) has resigned his position as director-general of the Department of States Service (DSS).

A source who spoke with TheCable said Ekpeyong submitted his resignation letter around 10am, and that Lawal Musa Daura had been appointed to succeed him.

Danladi Kifasi, head of the civil service of the federation, has issued a statement to confirm the appointment of Daura.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is reported to be unimpressed by the organisation’s conduct in the buildup to the March 28 presidential election.

Before Buhari moved into Aso Rock, there were reports in the media that DSS officials would be barred from the presidential villa.

However, shortly after the president moved in, security personnel from the organisation were affected in what the presidency described as “reorganisation at the presidential villa”.

Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, denied the allegation that men of the service were expelled from the villa, saying: “Rumours that personnel of the State Security Service have been expelled from the presidential villa are unfounded.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has given no such order. While it is true that a reorganisation of security at the presidential villa, which involves the realignment of personnel from various services is underway, the exercise does not translate to the expulsion of DSS personnel from the premises in any way.”

Ekpeyong’s successor, Daura, joined the DSS in 1982 and rose to the rank of director.

Between 2003 and 2007, he was the deputy director of presidential communication, command and control centre at the presidential villa Abuja.

He has also served as the state director of the service in Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Lagos, Osun and Imo states.

He attended various professional courses within and outside the country including, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru.

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, appointed Ekpeyong in 2010 after dismissing Afakriya Gadzama.