Department of State Services, has reiterated its commitment to support democratic institutions, respect rule of law and protect citizens of Nigeria.

According to the service, it will continue to discharge its duties in line with Standard Operations Procedures.

Its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said dark forces should not bring the Service into a collision with the government it was meant to diligently serve.

Afunanya said the service was aware of several speculations making the rounds in the media on some internal affairs of the Service, saying the speculations were unhealthy for the service as it had undoubtedly remained a committed institution with focus on the stability and security of the nation.

According to him, over the years, the Service had been known to be both a strategic stabiliser and a unifying factor in the Nigerian project, saying it deserved and desired to be focused and supported by all stakeholders to deepen the country’s democracy.

He said only a professionally driven Service could support and consolidate Nigeria’s democracy, advising the media to report issues of national security with caution to avoid a breach of peace.

Afunanya warned self serving interests against bringing the service to ridicule, saying the Service was undaunted and would pursue noble goals only meant to uphold integrity in security and intelligence governance.

He said personnel of the service across the Commands and Formations had been enjoined to be calm, loyal and united in the discharge of their duties.

Afunanya also defended the order handed over to its acting Director General, Mathew Seiyefa by the Presidency to recall the officers he transferred out of the headquarters to other commands, saying the service was bound to carry out legitimate orders.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, recently asked Seiyefa to return all those he transferred out of the headquarters to their duty posts.

Kyari was said to be unhappy that those said to be loyal to his office and those around him were sent to other beats, an action that was said to have infuriated him and his loyalists.

Among those who were transferred were the Director of Operations, Bassey Eteng and Grace Kentebe.

Seiyefa, who became the acting Director General following the sacking of Lawal Daura, had complied with the Kyari’s order.