President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to cancel the promotion exercise it conducted for its staff in the last days of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, due to “observed lapses.” He also cancelled a recent recruitment into the service.

The Daily Trust reported that the directive was Buhari’s first order reversing his predecessor’s action since he assumed office a month ago. The order targets promotions that were conducted “from 31 March to date.”

An SSS memo, signed by one, Toma C. and dated July 3, 2015, urged those that benefitted from the exercise “to revert to their former ranks with immediate effect.”

A wide category of staff that were “promoted, converted and upgraded” by the exercise would be affected.

“In view of the observed lapses in the promotion exercise released from 31st March, 2015 to date, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has directed its suspension forthwith. The personnel affected include those promoted, converted and upgraded within the period under review,” the memo said.

 “The DGSS has constituted a committee to handle the review of all the cases,” it said, urging its offices across the country to disseminate the information to all personnel.  

Among the officers affected was the heavily partisan spokesperson of the agency, Marilyn Ogar, who was moved a step higher.

Read more in: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/news/21240-exclusive-buhari-cancels-jonathan-s-11th-hour-promotions-in-dss

Last Thursday, Buhari removed the head of the SSS, Ita Ekpenyong