The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has freed four suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after investigations cleared them of allegations linking them to the separatist group.
The DSS boss also approved an initial compensation of N20 million for the four men, with each receiving N5 million.
The suspects are Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
Security sources disclosed that they were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
According to one of the sources, investigations established that the suspects had been deceived into believing they would receive a monthly allowance of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
They were allegedly lured by members of IPOB, some of whom are currently facing trial, without knowing the true nature of the arrangement.
Receiving the freed men, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for its efforts towards protecting national security while respecting human rights.
Adeyanju also praised the professionalism and operational standards of the Service, describing his experience with its personnel as the best in more than 20 years of interacting with the agency.
He further maintained that President Bola Tinubu made the right decision in appointing Ajayi as DSS Director-General.
Speaking on behalf of the freed suspects, Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life, expressing gratitude to the DSS leadership for the gesture.
He said the experience had taught him valuable lessons which he intended to share with others.
The latest release is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases ordered by Ajayi shortly after assuming office in 2024.
The DSS reportedly began reviewing more than 300 cases and has reduced the number of suspects held in its facilities to about 100 following investigations.
The agency has also paid more than N1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations or wrongly affected by its operations.
Among previous beneficiaries was a Jos-based businessman who was shot by DSS operatives in Plateau State and subsequently received N20 million, alongside payment of his medical bills.
Chineze Ozoadibe reportedly received N10 million after being wrongfully arrested, while Sunday Ifedi was paid N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor also received N5 million after being absolved of allegations connecting him to the separatist group.
A security source said the four newly released suspects would receive additional assistance, including psychological and medical support, as well as help with their reintegration into society.
In a recent maiden media interview, Ajayi acknowledged that the DSS, like every human institution, could make mistakes.
He, however, stressed that the agency must provide remedies whenever its actions result in harm, including compensation where wrongdoing is established.
The DSS chief said the agency was committed to admitting its mistakes, compensating affected individuals and improving its operations in line with the rule of law.
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