Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of a man, Nura Idris wrongfully linked to Boko Haram terrorists.
This follows investigation review by DSS panel that cleared Idris of allegations of collaboration with Boko Haram terrorists.
Aside from giving Idris N3 million monetary compensation to meet his immediate needs, Ajayi promised to help the wrongfully detained herder in his business, a practice common with the DSS DG since assumption of office.
According to a security source, the farmer and animal rearer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria was arrested by a sister security agency in Suleja, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria in June 2024, for alleged links with terrorists, and was thereafter transferred to DSS custody.
Following a thorough review of Idris’ case, DSS investigation panel found no basis for the charges against him, prompting the DG DSS to order his immediate release and payment of compensation.
Receiving the compensation, Idris thanked the DG for what he described as a kind gesture, saying the money would help him restart 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 Nura as saying.
His father, Yusuf Idris, who received him upon his release, also expressed appreciation to the DGSS for his compassion and generosity, and assured that the compensation would be put to good use.
“When such cases are recorded, the DSS would usually follow up with the detainee, provide psychological and medical support, after which the Agency would further set up any business of the victim’s choice”, another source disclosed.
The release is part of an internal review exercise which the DSS began last year. The exercise is aimed at reassessing prolonged inherited cases to ensure that erroneously detained individuals do not remain in detention.
MUST READ: Tinubu replaces Wike’s ally in Border Communities Development Agency
“The setting free and compensations across multiple cases underscores the DSS’s growing reputation for institutional integrity and humanness,” added the source.
“The Service under the current DG, has continued to show that safeguarding national security and citizens must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” declared the source.
“Recall the case of Sunday Ifedi and his wife, Calista who were arrested on 8th November 2021 and detained in Wawa facility, three years before the appointment of the current DG in August 2024,” added the source. Ifedi was released on 16th December, 2025, after the review of detainees ordered by the DG cleared him of ties with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and he was awarded N10 million as compensation.
“Importantly, plans are underway by the DSS to rebuild a restaurant in memory of Ifedi’s wife, Calista, who died while in custody in a detention facility in Wawa. The initiative is to compensate Ifedi for the allegations that his late wife operated a restaurant being patronised by IPOB members, for which they were arrested. This brings to bear, over 30 cases that have since been reviewed with over N300 million paid as compensation,” the source disclosed.
It would also be recalled that, barely one month after ordering the release and payment of N10 million compensation of one Abuja-based business woman, Chineze Ozoadibe, in October 2025, the DSS boss ordered the release of one Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, arrested in July 2022, for his alleged involvement in the activities of the proscribed IPOB. Five other detainees wrongfully linked to IPOB were by the same directive of the DG, released and each given an initial N2 million cash compensation.
Last month, the DSS also released a Yobe State resident, Ya’u Mohammed, after investigations confirmed that he had no connection to terrorism. Following his release, the Service provided initial financial support worth N2 million to assist his reintegration and restoration of his livelihood.
“There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration,” stated the source, adding, “these are the kind of measures the DSS is using to build public trust.”
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
