Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A retired senior official of the Department of State Services has called on Nigerians to exercise patience and understanding in the fight against terrorism, warning that the widespread public practice of demanding immediate action following every security incident is undermining counter-terrorism efforts rather than helping them. Mohammed Ngoshe, a former Assistant Director-General of the DSS, made the remarks in a recent interview, addressing what he described as a growing trend of public panic and hasty demands on security agencies whenever an incident occurs. His comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security challenges across multiple regions, including Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnapping for ransom in various parts of the country.
Ngoshe, who served in the DSS for decades and rose to the rank of Assistant Deputy Director-General, expressed concern over what he described as a counter-productive public reaction to security incidents. "This practice of, once anything happens, and everybody goes to the high heavens to call for immediate action, 'release this, do this, do that,' on the security is not helping matters. It is not done like that," he said. The retired security chief argued that such reactions reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the complexities involved in counter-terrorism operations, which require careful intelligence gathering, meticulous planning, and coordinated execution. "If it were that easy, no Nigerian would be in captivity for any reason," he stated emphatically.
The former DSS director stressed that security operations, particularly those involving hostage rescue and counter-terrorism, demand significant time, effort, and strategic patience. "Believe you me, a lot of effort needs to be put into it. A lot of understanding on the part of Nigerians needs to be given," Ngoshe said, appealing to citizens to trust the process and allow security agencies the time and space to conduct their operations effectively. His remarks resonate with a long-standing principle in security operations: that successful counter-terrorism requires not just military might but also sophisticated intelligence, careful planning, and public cooperation.
Ngoshe's call for public understanding is not new in his commentary on national security issues. In previous interviews, he has consistently emphasised the importance of timeliness in security operations while cautioning against premature judgments. In February 2025, during an interview on Channels Television, he addressed public perceptions of DSS operations at the Lagos State House of Assembly, suggesting that the press had been too quick to label the agency's presence as an "invasion". He stressed that security officers do not need to wait for official orders before taking action when they see a situation that could lead to chaos.
The retired intelligence officer's latest comments come amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations across Nigeria, including in Borno State, where the military recently secured the release of 434 residents of Ngoshe community who had been abducted by insurgents. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the captives, who were originally taken from Ngoshe, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area. The rescue operation, which involved the Nigerian military and the DSS, was hailed as a significant achievement in the fight against terrorism.
However, Ngoshe's plea for patience reflects a broader concern among security professionals that public pressure and unrealistic expectations can hinder rather than help counter-terrorism efforts. His argument that "a lot of understanding on the part of Nigerians needs to be given" underscores the tension between the public's demand for immediate results and the operational realities of security agencies working in complex and often dangerous environments. As Nigeria continues to confront the threat of terrorism, the former DSS director's words serve as a reminder that sustainable progress in counter-terrorism requires not only the dedication of security personnel but also the patience, understanding, and cooperation of the citizens they are sworn to protect.
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