A legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Hamza Dantani, has called on security agencies across Nigeria to adopt the Department of State Services (DSS) policy of compensating innocent citizens who are wrongly arrested, unlawfully detained or harmed during security operations.
Dantani made the appeal while commending the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, for introducing compensation for victims of wrongful arrests and operational errors, describing the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening accountability within the country’s security architecture.
In a statement titled, “DSS Compensation Initiative Sets Standard for Security Agencies,” the lawyer said the policy deserved national recognition because it demonstrated that security agencies could acknowledge mistakes without compromising their operational effectiveness.
According to him, agencies entrusted with protecting the nation also have constitutional, legal and moral obligations to provide redress whenever innocent citizens suffer violations of their rights.
“This is a bold, commendable and unprecedented gesture that deserves national recognition.
“It demonstrates that while security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to protect the nation, they also have a moral and legal obligation to acknowledge mistakes and provide remedies to innocent citizens whose rights have been violated.”
Dantani stressed that efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality must always be carried out within the framework of the law and with due respect for fundamental human rights.
“The fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality is a national priority. However, the pursuit of security must never come at the expense of justice. National security and respect for fundamental human rights are complementary principles that strengthen one another.”
He said the DSS had demonstrated that public institutions could admit and correct operational mistakes while retaining public confidence, adding that accountability helps to strengthen trust between security agencies and the citizens they serve.
The human rights advocate cited several cases which he said reflected the implementation of the DSS compensation policy, including Kaduna-based farmer and herder Nura Idris, who reportedly received ₦3 million after being wrongly linked to Boko Haram activities.
He also referred to Abuja businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe, who he said was awarded ₦10 million following her wrongful arrest over allegations of oil bunkering.
Dantani further cited a Sokoto-based trader who reportedly received ₦20 million and lifetime medical care after he was mistakenly shot during a security operation in Jos in 2016.
Other beneficiaries, according to him, include Umar Ibrahim, Alhaji Bello Rabiu and Jaja Sarki Bamo, who reportedly shared a compensation package after being wrongfully arrested over allegations of banditry and kidnapping, as well as 11 artisans from Osun State who were exonerated of terrorism-related allegations and compensated.
He observed that wrongful arrests and unlawful detention often result in severe financial losses, emotional trauma and reputational damage for victims.
While acknowledging that financial compensation cannot entirely erase such suffering, he said it represents an important recognition that an injustice has occurred and that the state is willing to accept responsibility.
Dantani urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other law enforcement agencies to institutionalise similar compensation mechanisms whenever innocent citizens are found to have been wrongfully arrested, detained or injured during official operations.
He also advocated reforms to reduce wrongful arrests, including improved intelligence gathering, enhanced identity verification, stronger forensic investigations, closer inter-agency collaboration, continuous human rights training for security personnel and independent review mechanisms to investigate complaints.
According to him, professionalism requires security agencies to exercise caution before depriving citizens of their liberty.
“An arrest should never be treated as punishment, and detention should never become a substitute for proper investigation.”
Dantani commended the DSS Director-General for setting what he described as a positive example for other security institutions and expressed hope that the initiative would usher in greater accountability, respect for constitutional rights and justice for innocent Nigerians affected by operational errors.
He added that the true test of any justice system lies not only in its ability to punish offenders but also in its willingness to protect the innocent and correct its mistakes whenever they occur.
