DSS Eyes Production, Sales Of Drones, AK-47, Others

The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed plans to become self-sufficient in the production and use of its Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs), popularly called drones, AK-47s, and other weapons for operations going forward.

Confidently, the nation’s Secret Police said in the proposed plans that have already kickstarted, the weapons, aside from being deployed internally, would also be sold to other sister security agencies in the country when officially unveiled.

Dropping the hints at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 16 participants in Abuja, Director-General of the Service, Yusuf Bichi, said the DSS is already looking inwards to reposition itself for effective service delivery going forward, adding that it will soon “produce what it eats and eat what it produces”.

Bichi, who explained that the UAVs are among the weapons to be unveiled soon by the DSS, said when the plans fully materialise, they would be deployed nationwide, stressing that the Institute would continue to enjoy full backing for its training programmes to achieve all the set goals.

He further said; “I care for the welfare of our staff, both active and retired. We shall never go back on that. We’ll also continue to pay attention to our research and development. Sooner or later, we shall start eating what we produce, and we produce what we eat.

“This is coded. It means we shall start deploying some of the assets we have or the platforms we produce by ourselves, including Unmanned Area Vehicles. We are producing our AK-47. When we reach the destination, we will save the country from the pains of the resources being chunked out to buy such weapons.”

The DSS Chief disclosed that the development was part of efforts by the government to reduce Nigeria’s current over-reliance on foreign and imported weapons that continuously see the country spending huge but scarce resources annually on procuring them.

Also pledging that the Service was fully focused on effective collaboration and provision of credible intelligence to other security agencies, the DSS boss said, “We shall continue to appreciate all the agencies that partner with us in the journey so far. And I promise the other security agencies that the DSS will continue to provide you with proactive intelligence to drive your operations intelligence. We have achieved that in different parts of the country.

“And I have to thank the military and the police especially for giving us that opportunity and appreciating our input in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in different parts of the country. We are going to sustain that by the grace of God. For the generality of the people.”

Specifically pleading with Plateau and Kaduna States people and residents to live in peace, shun hostilities, and convert existing opportunities into job creation, Bichi said; “Let me just advise us, especially the people of Plateau and Kaduna. It is now time for you and me to return Plateau to its 1970s situation where Plateau or Jos was seen as a tourist, attractive state or city.

“But with conflict, all the industries in Plateau are gone. No peace. You are idle. So please, turn your hostilities into jobs. We have seen that it happens in so many places. The Kanuris and Fulanis turn their hostilities into jobs. Kano and Zaira also did.

“So please do that and save the nation from disaster. Because there is no point from 1991 to date at the interval of four years you are having ethno-religious conflict. It’s not good. Talk to yourselves. Talk to your people. Be focused. See the development of Plateau. See what development and security. If you want development in your state, if you want security, you want development.”

Urging Nigerians to desist from disparaging their leaders, the DSS Chief said; “We have the indices of a great nation. So, It’s a question of how do you get out of that. Let us avoid simmering or disparaging our leaders. You can’t go anywhere by doing so. Most especially, we are in a democratic dispensation.

“If you are patient enough, you can easily achieve what somebody has achieved now or in the near future. So, let us talk to ourselves.”

Prominent Nigerians who graced the graduation ceremony were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and Femi Otedola, among others.