DSS Frees Man Wrongly Linked to Boko Haram, Awards Him N3 Million Compensation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a Kaduna State farmer who was wrongfully linked to Boko Haram and awarded him N3 million in compensation after an internal review found no evidence supporting the terrorism allegations against him.

According to security sources, the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved the immediate release of Nura Idris after a review panel concluded that there was no basis for his continued detention.

The panel reportedly cleared Idris of any involvement with Boko Haram, prompting the agency to order his release and provide financial support to assist his reintegration.

Beyond the compensation, the DSS also pledged to help him rebuild his business.

Security sources said Idris, a farmer and livestock rearer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was initially arrested by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024 over alleged links to terrorists before he was transferred to DSS custody.

Following what the agency described as a comprehensive review of the case, investigators reportedly found no evidence connecting him to the terrorist group.

Receiving the compensation, Idris expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership.

"I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely," he was quoted as saying.

His father, Yusuf Idris, also thanked the DSS Director-General for approving both his son's release and the compensation package, saying the funds would help the family rebuild.

According to another security source, the Service's reintegration programme extends beyond financial compensation.

The source said the DSS often provides psychological and medical support for individuals wrongfully detained before assisting them with businesses or other means of livelihood to ease their return to society.

The latest release is part of an internal review of inherited and prolonged detention cases launched by the agency last year.

According to the sources, the exercise is intended to ensure that individuals found to have been wrongfully detained are released without unnecessary delay while strengthening institutional accountability.

The review has reportedly led to several high-profile releases.

Among them was Sunday Ifedi, who was released in December 2025 after investigators reportedly found no evidence linking him to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was subsequently awarded N10 million in compensation.

Security sources also disclosed that the DSS plans to rebuild a restaurant owned by his late wife, Calista Ifedi, who died while in custody, as part of broader compensation measures for the family.

The review exercise also led to the release of Abuja businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe in October 2025, with the agency reportedly approving N10 million in compensation.

Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, arrested in July 2022 over alleged IPOB links, was also released after his case was reviewed, while five other detainees cleared of similar allegations each received an initial compensation of N2 million, according to the sources.

Last month, the DSS equally released Ya'u Mohammed, a resident of Yobe State, after investigations reportedly established that he had no links to terrorism. He was provided with N2 million to support his reintegration.

According to the security sources, more than 30 detention cases have so far been reviewed under the initiative, with over N300 million reportedly paid as compensation to individuals found to have been wrongfully detained.

The sources said the exercise reflects the current leadership's effort to balance national security responsibilities with the protection of citizens' rights and due process.