The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after investigations cleared them of the allegations against them, approving N20 million as initial compensation.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved the payment, with each of the four individuals expected to receive N5 million.
The beneficiaries, identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
Security sources disclosed that investigations established that the individuals had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
According to the sources, they were allegedly lured by some IPOB members who are currently facing trial.
Counsel to the beneficiaries, Deji Adeyanju of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for what he described as its commitment to national security and respect for human rights.
He also praised the professionalism and hygiene within the Service, describing his experience with DSS personnel as the best he had witnessed in more than 20 years of interaction with the agency.
Adeyanju further reaffirmed his earlier position that President Bola Tinubu made the right choice in appointing Ajayi as Director-General of the DSS.
Speaking on behalf of the four beneficiaries, Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life and expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership.
He said the experience had taught him valuable lessons which he would share with others, while praying for the continued success of the DSS Director-General and the management of the Service.
The latest intervention is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi upon assuming office in 2024.
The DSS reportedly reviewed more than 300 cases, with its panel reducing the number of detainees in its facility to about 100 following investigations and other review processes.
The agency also disclosed that it had paid more than N1 billion in compensation in various cases.
Other beneficiaries of the DSS compensation initiative include a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by security operatives in Plateau State and received N20 million, alongside payment of his medical bills.
Chineze Ozoadibe also received N10 million following her wrongful arrest, while Sunday Ifedi was compensated with N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor similarly received N5 million after being cleared of the allegations.
A security source further disclosed that the four newly released individuals would receive psychological and medical support in addition to the initial compensation, as the Service works towards their reintegration into society.
In a recent maiden media interview, the DSS Director-General acknowledged that the Service, like every human institution, could make mistakes.
He, however, maintained that such mistakes must be addressed whenever they result in injury or injustice.
“Where we admit our mistakes, we offer compensation and seek ways to improve operations in tandem with the rule of law,” Ajayi said.
