The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after investigations cleared them of wrongdoing, approving ₦20 million in compensation for the former suspects.
The DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved ₦5 million for each of the four men: Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
The Service said the men were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama local government areas of Bayelsa State.
According to the DSS, investigations established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government's Amnesty Programme.
The Agency said they were allegedly lured into the arrangement by a group of IPOB members, some of whom are currently facing trial.
Reacting to their release, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, counsel to the four men, commended the DSS for its efforts to safeguard national security while upholding human rights.
The law firm also praised the professionalism of the Service, describing its standards as the best it had witnessed in more than 20 years of interacting with DSS personnel.
It further maintained that President Bola Tinubu made the right decision in appointing Ajayi as the DSS director-general.
Speaking on behalf of the released men, Ibe described the day as the happiest of his life and said the experience had taught him valuable lessons he would share with others. He also expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership.
The Service said the latest release and compensation were part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.
According to the Agency, the DSS reviewed more than 300 inherited cases and reduced the number of detainees in its facility to about 100 following investigations.
It added that more than ₦1 billion had been paid in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations against them.
Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received ₦20 million after he was mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in Plateau State.
The Service also covered his medical expenses.
Chineze Ozoadibe received ₦10 million following her wrongful arrest, while Sunday Ifedi was paid ₦10 million after investigations cleared him of alleged links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor also received ₦5 million after being absolved of similar allegations.
The DSS said the four newly released men would receive additional psychological and medical support, alongside assistance to facilitate their reintegration into society.
In a recent maiden media interview, Ajayi acknowledged that the Service, like any human institution, could make mistakes but stressed the importance of providing remedies when its actions caused harm.
"Where we admit our mistakes, we offer compensation, and seek ways to improve operations in tandem with the rule of law," he said.
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