The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned Nigerians to be vigilant following the discovery of a dismissed staff member allegedly impersonating the agency to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
In a statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @OfficialDSSNG, on Sunday, the Service identified the suspect as Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, a former officer dismissed for misconduct, who has since been engaging in “unscrupulous activities” under the guise of the DSS.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts members of the public of the activities of one Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, a dismissed staff.
He is reportedly engaging in unscrupulous activities, including using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public,” the statement read.
The agency urged Nigerians to avoid any dealings with the suspect, warning that such fraudulent activities could compromise personal and financial security. The DSS further advised the public to verify all official matters through its verified communication channels.
This warning comes barely four days after the Service issued a similar alert about another dismissed officer, Barry Donald, accused of impersonating DSS personnel to carry out fraudulent schemes.
The DSS reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Service and maintaining public trust, assuring Nigerians that anyone found misrepresenting the agency would face the full weight of the law.
Established in 1986, the Department of State Services serves as Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency, responsible for safeguarding internal security and conducting counterintelligence operations across the country.