Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and approved N20 million in compensation following investigations that cleared them of the allegations.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Director-General of DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved N5 million for each of the men as compensation for their wrongful detention.
The beneficiaries were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
The four men were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
A security source said investigations established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive monthly payments of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s amnesty programme.
The source explained that they were unaware they were being recruited by members of IPOB, some of whom are currently standing trial.
Receiving the released men, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, commended the DSS for its efforts towards upholding human rights and addressing cases of wrongful detention.
Adeyanju also praised the agency’s Director-General for what he described as his commitment to ensuring accountability and respect for human rights.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life and expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership.
The latest release followed a review of more than 300 inherited terrorism-related cases ordered by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.
According to security sources, the exercise has reduced the number of detainees in the agency’s custody to about 100, while more than N1 billion has reportedly been paid in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations or affected by the agency’s operations.
Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received N20 million after being mistakenly shot by DSS operatives, as well as Chineze Ozoadibe and Sunday Ifedi, who received N10 million each after investigations cleared them of wrongdoing.
The agency is also expected to provide the four men with medical and psychological support to facilitate their reintegration into society.
