DSS Replaces Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer

In a new development, the Department of State Service (DSS) has replaced Adegboyega Fasasi as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appointing Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a Deputy Director in the Service, as his successor.

Fasasi, who has served as CSO since President Tinubu took office, was reportedly withdrawn to undergo professional training. While specific details of the development remain scarce, it was learned that the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, had requested approval from President Tinubu for Fasasi’s release so he could proceed with a strategic training course.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Fasasi's replacement is not unusual and should have been anticipated as part of routine reshuffling within the DSS. The source explained that it is common for new DSS Directors-General to reorganize key positions, particularly those close to the President.

“Yes, I heard he has been replaced with another officer because he is being sent on a professional training course. At least there’s a reason for his removal and you can’t really premise that on any particular scandal, though you can’t entirely rule out that there might have been a misgiving somewhere, it happens," the source told The Nation on Sunday evening.

The source further explained, “The angle I want us to actually look at it from is the fact that such exercise as this ‘change of guards’ 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."