The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men who were detained over alleged links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and approved ₦20 million in compensation for them.
The decision was approved by the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, following a review of the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
The beneficiaries were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.
According to security sources cited in reports published on Tuesday, November 3, the four men were arrested in May 2022 over allegations that they were attempting to establish an IPOB camp in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Bayelsa State.
The communities are located within Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of the state.
However, investigations by the security agency reportedly established that the men were still at the recruitment stage when they were arrested.
One of the sources disclosed that the investigation found that the individuals had allegedly been misled into believing they would receive monthly payments of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government's Amnesty Programme.
Their conduct while in detention, reported remorse and findings from the investigation were said to have influenced the DSS Director-General's decision to approve their release and compensation.
The ₦20 million compensation represents a significant development in the agency's handling of cases involving prolonged detention over suspected security-related activities.
The latest decision also follows similar actions taken by Ajayi in previous cases involving individuals detained over alleged links to IPOB.
In November 2025, the DSS ordered the release of Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who had been arrested in July 2022 over alleged involvement with the separatist group. He was also approved for ₦5 million compensation.
Before his release, three men from Abia State — Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba and Ifesinachi Eze — were released and reportedly received ₦5 million each.
Similarly, an Abuja-based businesswoman, Chineze Ozoadibe, was released in October 2025, with the DSS approving ₦10 million in compensation.
A security source said the agency recognised that security institutions could make mistakes and maintained that identified errors should be acknowledged, with appropriate steps taken to address them.
The latest development has drawn attention to the importance of accountability, proper investigations and respect for the rights of individuals during security operations.