The Department of State Services has defended the order handed over to its acting Director General, Mr. Mathew Seiyefa by the Presidency to recall the officers he transferred out of the headquarters to other commands.

A statement issued by its Spokesman, Mr. Nnochirionye Afunanya, in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the service was bound to “carry out legitimate orders.”

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. 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, Mr.Bassey Eteng and Grace Kentebe.

Seiyefa, who became the acting DG of the Service following the sacking of Mr. Lawal Daura, had complied with the Kyari’s order.

However, the statement by Afunanya said, “The Service, as an institution of Government will continue to carry out legitimate orders; support democratic institutions; respect the rule of law and protect the citizens in line with global practices and Standard Operations’ Procedures in Intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

“Dark forces should not bring the Service into a collision with the Government it is meant to diligently serve.”

He added, “The attention of the DSS has been drawn to several speculations making the rounds in the media on some internal affairs of the Service.

“These speculations, to say the least, are unhealthy for the Service and indeed, Nigeria. The DSS has undoubtedly remained a committed Service with a focus on the stability and security of the nation.

“Over the years, the Service has been known to be both a strategic stabiliser and a unifying factor in the Nigerian project.

“It therefore deserves and desires to be focused and supported by all stakeholders to play the expected role in a democracy.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44