The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has released four men who were wrongly accused of having links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry, and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry were arrested in May 2022 in Bayelsa State. Investigations by the DSS cleared them of the allegations, and they were subsequently released. Each of the freed men will receive ₦5 million as compensation for their wrongful detention.
The release of the four suspects is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, in 2024. Ajayi ordered a review of over 300 inherited cases to identify individuals who might have been wrongly implicated or detained. This exercise has led to a significant reduction in the number of detainees in DSS facilities, from over 300 to about 100.
According to security sources, the four men were misled into believing they would receive monthly payments of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government's Amnesty Programme. They were allegedly lured by individuals linked to IPOB, who are now facing trial. The DSS found no evidence of their involvement with IPOB, leading to their release and compensation.
The DSS has paid over ₦1 billion in compensation to individuals affected by operational mistakes and wrongful arrests. This is not the first time the DSS has compensated individuals for wrongful arrests or operational errors. In the past, the DSS has paid ₦20 million to a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by DSS operatives, and ₦10 million to Chineze Ozoadibe, who was wrongfully arrested.
Deji Adeyanju & Partners, counsel to the four men, commended the DSS for its professionalism and commitment to human rights. The lawyer praised Ajayi for his efforts to ensure that the rights of suspects were respected while the Service continued its responsibility of protecting national security. The lawyer also praised the level of hygiene and professionalism within the DSS.
Speaking on behalf of the freed men, Ibe described his release as the happiest day of his life. He said the experience had taught him important lessons which he intended to share with others. The four men will also receive psychological and medical support in addition to the financial compensation.
The DSS Director-General recently acknowledged that security agencies, like other human institutions, could make mistakes. However, he stressed that such mistakes must be acknowledged and addressed. The release of the four men highlights the delicate balance between national security operations and the protection of citizens' fundamental rights, particularly in cases involving terrorism-related investigations.
Key points
- The DSS has released four men wrongly accused of IPOB links and paid ₦20m in compensation.
- The release is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by the DSS Director-General.
- The DSS has paid over ₦1 billion in compensation to individuals affected by operational mistakes and wrongful arrests.
