By Kingston Magare 3.11.2026
Four Nigerians who were illegally detained by the Department of State Security on suspicion of being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra have been released and compensated with N20m naira each.
The individuals who regained their freedom include Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry who have been in custody for more than four years.
According to the DSS director-general Oluwatosin Ajayi, the individuals were set free after their cases were reviewed and it was found out that they have no links to the proscribed IPOB. Mr. Ajayi stated the DSS is on mission to clean up its acts by releasing persons wrongly arrested and detained.
Recently a farmer in Kaduna who was alleged to be a member of the Boko Haram terror group was released after it was discovered that he was innocent he was paid N3m compensation. Also, a Jos businessman who shot in error by the DSS in 2016 was compensated with N20m.
Others who have also been freed from DSS detention include Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who was picked up in July 2022 for alleged IPOB links. He was compensated with N5 million in November 2025.
others are Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba and Ifesinachi Eze – who were released and also got N5 million compensation each.
Earlier in October 2025, Ajayi ordered the release of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs Chineze Ozoadibe, and approved N10 million compensation for her.
Ajayi...DSS director-general making a point.