The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a man named Nura Idris after investigations confirmed that he had no ties to the Boko Haram sect he was accused of belonging to.
The Vanguard newspaper reported that the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, ordered Idris's release and approved a grant of three million naira to help him restart his life and livelihood.
Nura Idris, a farmer and herder from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested in Suleja, Niger State, in 2024 on suspicion of ties to terrorists, before subsequently being handed over to the DSS.
An investigative committee set up by the DSS found no evidence linking him to terrorist activities, leading to an order for his immediate release.
Idris praised the DSS leadership for how he was treated while in custody, stating that the money given to him would help him rebuild his life.
Security sources said the DSS is continuing to review old cases involving long-term detainees, to ensure that innocent people are not kept in custody unnecessarily.
Reports indicate that over 30 people whose cases were reviewed have benefited from compensation exceeding 300 million naira, with the agency stating that the move demonstrates its commitment to protecting citizens' rights while ensuring national security.