The Director-General of the State Security Service, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has ordered the release of four men arrested in 2022 over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and approved an initial compensation of ₦20 million for them.
Each of the four men is expected to receive ₦5 million.
The released detainees were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
Security sources said 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 later found that the four men had allegedly been misled into believing they would each receive a monthly payment of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
“They did not know they were being lured by a group of IPOB members who are now facing trial,” the source said.
Their release forms part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases ordered by Ajayi shortly after he assumed office as SSS Director-General in 2024.
Receiving the four men, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, commended the SSS for the release and praised Ajayi’s approach to human rights and prolonged detention.
Adeyanju said: “These people were recklessly and haphazardly arrested during the Buhari regime. But since this DG came, we have been working with him to release all innocent Nigerians in detention.
“We have demanded that they should either be released or charged to court. And the DG has been cooperating with us. He agreed with us that it is unfair and unjust to keep people in detention perpetually. We thank him for his respect for human rights and dignity.”
Adeyanju also praised what he described as improved professionalism and conditions within the Service, saying he had observed a high standard of hygiene during his interactions with the agency.
Security sources said Ajayi, after assuming office, ordered a review of more than 300 cases inherited by the current leadership.
A panel established for the exercise has reportedly facilitated the release of several detainees after reviewing their cases, reducing the number of persons in SSS custody to about 100.
According to the sources, the review process has also resulted in the payment of more than ₦1 billion in compensation to persons who were cleared or suffered harm arising from SSS operations.
Previous beneficiaries were said to include a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by SSS personnel in Plateau State. Ajayi reportedly approved ₦20 million in compensation for him and directed that his medical expenses be paid.
Chineze Ozoadibe was also said to have received ₦10 million following her release, while Sunday Ifedi received ₦10 million after investigations cleared him of alleged links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was similarly said to have received ₦5 million after investigations absolved him of criminal allegations.
Security sources said several other suspects had also been released without their cases being made public.
The four men released in the latest exercise are also expected to receive psychological and medical support to assist their reintegration into society.
“Like other suspects who have received compensation, the SSS will also provide these four with psychological and medical support. I am confident that the Service will further assist them in their reintegration into society,” a security source said.
Ajayi had recently acknowledged that the SSS, like other human institutions, could make mistakes, but said the agency would provide remedies where its actions resulted in injury or injustice.
“Where we admit our mistakes, we offer compensation and seek ways to improve our operations in tandem with the rule of law,” he said.
Post Title: “It Is Unfair To Keep People In Detention Perpetually” — SSS Frees Four Men Held Over Alleged IPOB Links, Approves ₦20m Compensation By Naijaonpoint.