DSS releases, compensates man wrongfully arrested over alleged Boko Haram links

By Soni Daniel

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of a man who was wrongfully linked to Boko Haram terrorists following a review of his case.

The release followed the findings of a DSS investigation review panel, which cleared Nura Idris of allegations of collaborating with the terrorist group.

In addition to ordering his release, the DSS Director-General approved a compensation package of N3 million to help Idris meet his immediate needs and also pledged to support him in rebuilding his business.

According to a security source, Idris, a farmer and livestock rearer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested by a sister security agency in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024 over alleged links to terrorists before being transferred to DSS custody.

Following a comprehensive review of the case, the DSS panel found no evidence to support the allegations against him, prompting the Director-General to order his immediate release and compensation.

Receiving the compensation, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership, saying the financial support would help him rebuild his life.

“I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” the source quoted Idris as saying.

His father, Yusuf Idris, who received him upon his release, also thanked the DSS Director-General for what he described as his compassion and generosity, assuring that the compensation would be put to good use.

Another security source disclosed that in similar cases, the DSS usually follows up with released detainees by providing psychological and medical support before helping them establish businesses of their choice to facilitate reintegration into society.

The release forms part of an internal review exercise initiated by the Service last year to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases, with the aim of ensuring that individuals wrongfully detained do not remain in custody.

According to the source, the release and compensation of affected detainees demonstrate the DSS’s commitment to institutional accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.

“The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” the source said.

The source also recalled the case of Sunday Ifedi and his wife, Calista, who were arrested on November 8, 2021, and detained at the Wawa facility several years before the appointment of the current Director-General in August 2024.

Sunday Ifedi was released on December 16, 2025, after a review ordered by the DSS Director-General cleared him of alleged ties to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was subsequently awarded N10 million in compensation.

According to the source, the DSS is also planning to rebuild a restaurant in memory of Calista Ifedi, who died while in custody, as part of efforts to compensate her husband over allegations that the restaurant had been patronised by IPOB members, leading to their arrest.

The source added that more than 30 cases have so far been reviewed under the exercise, with over N300 million paid in compensation.

The source further recalled that in October 2025, the DSS ordered the release of Abuja-based businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe and approved N10 million compensation for her.

Similarly, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who was arrested in July 2022 over alleged involvement with the proscribed IPOB, was later released following a review of his case. Five other detainees also cleared of alleged IPOB links were released and each received an initial compensation of N2 million.

Last month, the DSS also released Ya’u Mohammed, a resident of Yobe State, after investigations confirmed he had no connection with terrorism. Following his release, the Service provided him with N2 million to support his reintegration and help restore his livelihood.

“There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration,” the source said, adding that such measures are intended to strengthen public trust in the Service.

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