The four released IPOB suspects
The Department of State Services (DSS) has freed four suspects arrested over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and approved N20 million in compensation for them following investigations that cleared them of the allegations.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved an initial payment of N5 million to each of the four suspects as compensation. Security sources disclosed that the suspects, Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
“The Agency established that they had been misled into believing that they would each receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme, not knowing that they were being lured by a group of IPOB members who are now facing trial,” one of the sources disclosed.
While receiving the four suspects, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, counsel to the suspects, commended the Service for its relentless efforts towards safeguarding Nigeria’s security, particularly acknowledging the DSS Director-General’s genuine commitment to upholding human rights.
He also noted the high level of hygiene and professionalism within the Service, describing it as the best he had witnessed in over 20 years of interacting with DSS personnel. He reiterated his earlier public statement that President Bola Tinubu made the right choice in appointing Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi as DSS Director-General.
Expressing gratitude to the DSS boss, Emele Uduma Ibe, who spoke on behalf of the others, described the day as the happiest of his life, noting that the experience had taught him a valuable lesson which he would share with others. He also offered prayers for God’s continued blessings upon the DSS boss and the management of the Service.
Recall that upon assuming office in 2024, the DSS Director-General ordered a review of over 300 inherited terrorism cases. Currently, the DSS panel has been able to decongest its facility to about 100 detainees following thorough investigations, while paying over N1 billion in compensation.
The DSS boss had earlier awarded N20 million and covered the medical bills of a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by service personnel in Plateau State.
Chineze Ozoadibe was also compensated with N10 million after she was wrongfully arrested, while Sunday Ifedi received N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB. Similarly, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was paid N5 million after investigations absolved him of IPOB allegations.
These are in addition to several other cases handled quietly by the DSS which never made the news outside the Agency. “Like other compensated suspects, the DSS will also offer psychological and medical support to these four in addition to the initial amount given. I am confident the DSS will also help with their further reintegration into society,” a source revealed.
The DSS Director-General, in a recent maiden media interview, admitted that, as humans, personnel of the Service were prone to making mistakes. However, where there was injury, Mr Ajayi said, there must be a remedy. Where we admit our mistakes, we offer compensation and seek ways to improve operations in tandem with the rule of law,” he said.
