The Department of State Services (DSS) has freed four suspects after investigations cleared them of alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The Service also approved an initial compensation of ₦20 million for the four individuals, with each receiving ₦5 million.
The decision was approved by the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, as part of efforts to uphold justice and the rule of law.
The suspects were arrested in May 2022 in Bayelsa State after they were allegedly misled with promises of monthly payments under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme. Security sources said investigations later established that they did not knowingly join IPOB but were lured by people now facing trial.
Counsel to the suspects, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for what it described as its commitment to national security, professionalism and respect for human rights.
Speaking on behalf of the freed suspects, Emele Uduma Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life and thanked the DSS leadership for clearing their names.
Since assuming office in 2024, Ajayi has ordered a review of more than 300 inherited terrorism-related cases, leading to the release of many detainees and over ₦1 billion paid as compensation to those wrongly held.
The latest payment follows similar compensation awarded to other individuals who were cleared after investigations, including people previously accused of IPOB links and a businessman mistakenly shot by DSS personnel.
In a recent media interview, the DSS Director-General admitted that mistakes can occur in security operations, stressing that whenever the Service is at fault, those affected deserve compensation and measures that strengthen respect for the rule of law.
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