The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after investigations cleared them of alleged links with the separatist group, approving an initial compensation of N20 million for the individuals.

The Director-General of the Service, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved N5 million for each of the four suspects as compensation following their exoneration.

The suspects, identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were reportedly arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

Security sources disclosed that investigations established that the suspects had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government's Amnesty Programme, without knowing that they were allegedly being recruited by members of IPOB, who are now facing trial.

While receiving the four individuals, their counsel, Deji Adeyanju of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for its efforts towards safeguarding national security, particularly the agency's commitment to respecting human rights.

He also praised the professionalism and hygiene standards within the Service, describing his experience with its personnel as the best he had witnessed in more than 20 years of interaction with the agency.

Adeyanju further reiterated his earlier position that President Bola Tinubu made the right decision in appointing Ajayi as Director-General of the DSS.

Speaking on behalf of the others, Ibe expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership, describing his release as the happiest day of his life and saying the experience had taught him valuable lessons he intended to share with others.

The development is part of the DSS leadership's broader efforts to review inherited terrorism-related cases.

According to security sources, Ajayi, upon assuming office in 2024, ordered a review of more than 300 inherited cases, leading to the decongestion of the agency's detention facility to about 100 inmates following investigations.

The sources further disclosed that the Service had paid more than N1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations against them.

Other beneficiaries reportedly include a Jos-based businessman who received N20 million after being mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in Plateau State, Chineze Ozoadibe, who was paid N10 million following wrongful arrest, and Sunday Ifedi, who also received N10 million after investigations cleared him of alleged IPOB links.

Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was equally reported to have received N5 million after investigations absolved him of the allegations.

A security source added that the four newly released individuals would receive additional psychological and medical support, alongside assistance with their reintegration into society.

The DSS Director-General had, in a recent media interview, acknowledged that the agency could make mistakes despite its responsibilities, stressing that such errors must be addressed through appropriate remedies.

Ajayi maintained that whenever the Service acknowledged wrongdoing resulting in injury or injustice, it had a responsibility to provide compensation and improve its operations in line with the rule of law.