The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four persons arrested and detained over alleged links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), paying them a total of N20 million as compensation for wrongful detention.
The release was ordered by the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, following a review which reportedly established that the four individuals had no connection with IPOB activities.
The freed individuals were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
According to reports, the individuals were arrested in error and had spent several years in detention before a review panel examined their cases and established their innocence.
Ajayi has reportedly embarked on an internal reform and review exercise since assuming office, leading to the release and compensation of several individuals who were allegedly wrongfully detained by the Service.
In a similar development, the DSS boss recently ordered the release of a Kaduna farmer who had spent two years in detention over alleged links to Boko Haram. He also approved N3 million in compensation for the farmer.
The DSS also reportedly increased the compensation awarded to a Jos businessman who was mistakenly shot by security operatives in 2016 from N10 million to N20 million.
Similarly, in November 2025, Ajayi directed the release of Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who was arrested in July 2022 over alleged links to IPOB. He also approved N5 million in compensation for him.
Before Nwafor’s release, three other men from Abia State, identified as Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba and Ifesinachi Eze, were also released, with each receiving N5 million in compensation.
Earlier, in October 2025, the DSS Director-General ordered the release of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs Chineze Ozoadibe, and approved N10 million in compensation for her.
