The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a Kaduna State farmer, Nura Idris, after an internal investigation cleared him of allegations linking him to the Boko Haram insurgent group.
The decision followed a comprehensive review ordered by the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, which found no evidence to support the claims that led to Idris’ detention. Following the findings, the Service ordered his immediate release and awarded him N3 million as compensation to help him address his immediate needs.
In addition to the financial assistance, the DSS pledged further support to enable Idris rebuild his farming and livestock business, which reportedly suffered during his detention.
Idris, a farmer and cattle rearer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was initially arrested in June 2024 by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, over allegations of having links with terrorist elements. He was later transferred to the custody of the DSS for further investigation.
However, after reviewing the case, the DSS concluded that the allegations were baseless and that there was no credible evidence connecting him to terrorist activities.
Speaking after regaining his freedom, Idris expressed gratitude to the Director-General of the DSS for facilitating his release and providing financial support, describing the gesture as a lifeline that would help him rebuild his livelihood.
His father, Yusuf Idris, also thanked the Service for what he described as a fair and compassionate decision, assuring that the compensation would be used judiciously to restore the family’s farming activities.
The DSS disclosed that its support for wrongfully detained individuals extends beyond financial compensation. According to the agency, affected persons also receive psychological counselling, medical care and reintegration assistance aimed at helping them return to normal life and regain sustainable means of livelihood.
The Service explained that Idris’ release forms part of an internal review programme launched last year to reassess inherited and long-standing detention cases. The initiative is designed to ensure that individuals unjustly held are identified, cleared where appropriate and adequately supported.
According to the DSS, the exercise has so far led to the review of more than 30 cases, with over N300 million paid in compensation to individuals found to have been wrongfully detained.
The agency cited previous instances, including the release of Sunday Ifedi, who received N10 million after investigations cleared him of alleged ties to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), along with several other detainees whose innocence was established after further investigations.
The DSS maintained that the review initiative demonstrates its commitment to protecting national security while respecting the rights and dignity of citizens. It added that the ongoing reforms are intended to promote accountability, strengthen public confidence in the institution and ensure that justice is served in deserving cases.
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