DSS frees, compensates man wrongly detained over Boko Haram links

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of a man who was wrongly detained over alleged links to Boko Haram after an internal review cleared him of any involvement with the terrorist group.

The Service also approved N3 million in compensation for the man, Nura Idris, to help him rebuild his life, while pledging further support to restore his business.

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

However, following a comprehensive review of the case by a DSS investigation panel, no evidence was found to substantiate the allegations against him, prompting the Director-General to order his immediate release.

The source said the compensation was intended to address Idris’ immediate needs while the Service would also assist him in restarting his business.

Speaking after his release, Idris expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership for clearing him and providing financial support.

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

His father, Yusuf Idris, also thanked the DSS Director-General, describing the gesture as compassionate and promising that the money would be used judiciously.

A security source disclosed that the DSS routinely provides psychological and medical support to wrongly detained persons before helping them establish businesses to aid their reintegration into society.

The source said Idris’ release formed part of an internal review initiated by the Service last year to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases with a view to ensuring that innocent persons are not kept in custody.

According to the source, the exercise reflects the agency’s commitment to 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 cited previous cases handled under the review programme, including that of Sunday Ifedi, who was released in December 2025 after being cleared of alleged links to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was awarded N10 million in compensation after spending years in detention.

The DSS is also planning to rebuild a restaurant in memory of Ifedi’s late wife, Calista, who died in custody, as part of efforts to compensate the family.

The source further revealed that Abuja-based businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe was released in October 2025 and compensated with N10 million after a review of her case.

Similarly, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor and five other detainees 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 Yobe State resident, after investigations established that he had no connection to terrorism. He was subsequently provided with N2 million to support his reintegration and livelihood.

According to the source, more than 30 cases have been reviewed under the exercise, with over N300 million paid as compensation to affected individuals.

The source added that the initiative is aimed at strengthening public confidence in the DSS while ensuring that justice is served for those wrongly detained.