Niger Delta leaders on Sunday examined the various internal security challenges confronting Nigeria, describing the role played by the Department of State Services in the last one year as excellent.
The leaders also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for revamping the country’s security apparatus and curtailing pressures.
The leaders in a statement in Abuja commended President Buhari for his maturity in using the judiciary to handle sensitive matters in the country.
Signed by the Convener, Delta Enlightened Forum, Engineer Bestman Odibo and Publicity Secretary, Mr Christopher Orushani, the leaders praised the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi for his robust and reform minded leadership, deep sense of public service, prodigious intelligence, professional excellence and precision.
”We salute you for the service rendered to the country and in particular your concentration on the agenda of the administration and the serious task of building the economy, stamping out insecurity and fighting corruption” the statement said.
They hailed Bichi for tailoring all his activities in the line of patriotism and stability.
“We are inspired by your wisdom, courage and passion for excellence” the leaders said.
They commended Bichi for creating greater security for the citizens, particularly key government officials in the country.
“We praise you for promoting peaceful co-existence and mediation as it concerns all spheres of life. We thank you for taking the Department of State Services to an all-time high level since 2018.”
The leaders said Nigeria should count itself as blessed for producing somebody like Bichi.
“We laud your selfless commitment and the excellent role played by the Department of State Services in addressing the internal security challenges confronting Nigeria in the last one year.
Stressing Bichi’s qualities, the leaders thanked him for using his humility, great intellectual base and incomparable understanding of the environment to power the country to greater heights.
“We praise the positive attitude of DSS officials and the commitment of the agency to due process rights for the accused.”
The leaders described Bichi in glowing terms such as having offered high quality service in one year and his being a pride to Nigeria.
“We thank you for the feat recorded in deepening and widening the intelligence gathering and conflict management capacity of the Department of State Services.”
The leaders who lamented the bad image being given to Nigeria by some of her citizens praised Bichi for surpassing the expectations of Nigerians in such a short period.
“We know that posterity will be on your side for the good work you are doing in the country” the leaders said.
They urged critics of the government to guard against utterances and acts capable of precipitating violence.
“They are at liberty to approach the courts for redress.”
The leaders also appealed to them to stop heating up the polity by threats of revolution.
“Combative style, explosive statements and embarrassing measures are against existing frameworks of cooperation. They contribute nothing to unity, stability, good governance and prosperity.”
“Only an atmosphere of peace can guarantee development. And without peace, the future will remain uncertain” the statement said.
 Ending the statement, the leaders said ”congratulations on a job well done.”
