DSS issues strong disclaimer over viral recruitment post, Nigerians react with frustration

DDM News

The Department of State Services (DSS), also known as the State Security Service (SSS), has officially disclaimed reports of an ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.

The agency, in a public notice shared via its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, warned Nigerians to disregard the information widely circulating on social media platforms.

DSS Statement:

“DISCLAIMER!!!

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO DISREGARD FALSE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE BY THE SERVICE, PLEASE.”

The statement comes shortly after several online platforms had published reports suggesting the agency was recruiting secretaries and drivers across its offices in Nigeria’s 36 states.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), one of the sources of the report, claimed that the exercise was part of DSS’s efforts to improve internal administration and operational capacity.

The now-debunked report included specific job requirements, age limits, qualifications, and instructions on how to submit applications physically to DSS state offices.

However, the DSS has now clarified that no such recruitment exercise is ongoing and urged Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters or misinformation.

This sudden reversal has sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians, many of whom expressed disappointment and suspicion about the transparency of the agency’s recruitment process.

Online Reactions:

A user, @Abouteika, lamented the agency’s secretive practices:

> “When will you openly recruit? Some of us love this job but we don’t get the opportunity to be recruited because we don’t see adverts.”

Another user, @Dtn.Amrex, echoed similar frustration:

> “Forgive me if I ask—how do you guys actually give opportunity to apply or recruit for this job? All my life I’ve admired this work more than anything, but I have never seen an advertisement for a call to apply.”

@AIYEPEKU alleged nepotism in the recruitment process:

> “We all know that you people only recruit your family members.”

@DrKalu added with sarcasm:

> “Why are you bothering the public? Do you give your job to the public?”

And @Abbaskt57 questioned the agency’s hiring methods:

> “So how do you recruit staff? I think you only recruit family and friends…”

Lack of Transparency?

The reactions highlight a recurring concern among citizens—lack of open and publicized recruitment by Nigeria’s security agencies.

Many young Nigerians, especially those with relevant qualifications, express frustration at not having access to application opportunities.

This has fueled widespread belief that recruitment into the DSS and similar bodies is often shrouded in secrecy or favoritism.

Public Trust at Stake

Security agencies like the DSS play a crucial role in national safety and internal intelligence.

For such a sensitive organization, credibility and transparency are essential not just in operations, but also in recruitment.

As calls for inclusive, fair, and merit-based employment continue to grow, agencies must consider ways to improve communication and trust with the public.

The Way Forward

Although the DSS has denied the current recruitment claim, it has not provided further details about when or how legitimate recruitments are conducted.

Stakeholders and civil society groups have long advocated for structured and widely-publicized recruitment exercises across all federal security agencies.

Such measures, they argue, would enhance public trust, increase merit-based selection, and provide hope for thousands of qualified but unemployed youth.

For now, the DSS has warned citizens to stay alert and avoid falling prey to fraudsters using fake recruitment news to exploit desperate job seekers.

The agency may need to go further by providing clear information on its recruitment process and timelines, if only to counter the growing public distrust voiced loudly across Nigeria’s digital space.

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