DSS frees four men arrested over alleged IPOB membership, pays N20m compensation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four suspects after clearing them of alleged membership of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

A security source told TheCable that the suspects were each paid N5 million in compensation.

They were identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.

They were reportedly arrested in May 2022 in the Sampou and Akeddei communities of Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama LGAs of Bayelsa state.

The security source said the DSS established that the suspects had been misled into believing that they would each receive N100,000 monthly under the federal government’s amnesty programme.

According to the source, the suspects were unaware that they were being lured by a group of IPOB members, who are now standing trial.

Receiving the suspects, Deji Adeyanju, their counsel, commended the agency for its efforts to uphold human rights in Nigeria.

The DSS introduced a compensation policy for suspects who were wrongfully detained about a year ago.

In August, DSS released Mustapha Marwana, a Katsina-born carpenter who was arrested over alleged links to the Ansaru terrorist group.

The agency also paid him N3 million as compensation.

In June, DSS freed Nura Idris, who was wrongfully linked to Boko Haram insurgents, after an internal review cleared him of any involvement with the terror group.

The secret police approved N3 million in compensation to help him restart his life.

In November 2025, DSS released Kenneth Nwafor, who was wrongfully accused of being a member of the proscribed IPOB, and paid N5 million in compensation.

In October 2025, the secret police released Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businessman, who was arrested by a sister security agency over suspected involvement in illegal bunkering before being transferred to the DSS.

She received N10 million as compensation.