DSS Releases Four Men Arrested Over Alleged IPOB Links, Approves ₦20m Compensation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), approving ₦20 million in compensation after investigations cleared them of wrongdoing.

The DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved an initial payment of ₦5 million for each of the beneficiaries, who were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

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The beneficiaries were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.

According to security sources, the four men were allegedly deceived into joining the group by individuals who promised them monthly payments of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.

The sources said investigations established that the men were unaware of the activities of the group, while those allegedly responsible for recruiting them are currently facing trial.

The release and compensation followed a review of more than 300 inherited terrorism-related cases ordered by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.

Counsel to the beneficiaries, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for balancing its national security responsibilities with respect for human rights.

The law firm also praised the agency’s professionalism, describing its conduct as the best it had experienced in more than 20 years of interaction with DSS personnel.

It further expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ajayi as the Director-General of the security agency.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life and expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership for the intervention.

A security source disclosed that the four men would also receive psychological and medical support, alongside assistance to facilitate their reintegration into society.

The development is part of a broader review of cases involving individuals held in connection with terrorism-related allegations.

The DSS has reportedly reduced the number of detainees in its facility to about 100 and paid more than ₦1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of wrongdoing or affected by its operations.

Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received ₦20 million after DSS operatives mistakenly shot him in Plateau State.

Chineze Ozoadibe and Sunday Ifedi also received ₦10 million each after investigations cleared them of wrongdoing, while Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was paid ₦5 million after the agency absolved him of alleged links to IPOB.

Ajayi recently acknowledged that the DSS could make mistakes but maintained that the agency must provide remedies whenever its operations cause harm.

He said: “Where we admit our mistakes, we offer compensation, and seek ways to improve operations in tandem with the rule of law.”

Newsworld | Henryrich Ojo