- DSS released Nura Idris after clearing him of alleged Boko Haram links
- The agency paid him ₦3 million as compensation and promised further support
- The release followed an internal review of prolonged detention cases
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has ordered the release of a man who was cleared of alleged links to Boko Haram after an internal review found no evidence against him.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that security sources familiar with the matter disclosed on Saturday that the man, Nura Idris, also received an immediate compensation of ₦3 million. The DSS further pledged to support him in rebuilding his livestock business.
According to the sources, Idris, a farmer and herder from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024 over suspected terrorist links before he was transferred to DSS custody.
The officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said a review panel set up by the DSS thoroughly re-examined the case and concluded that there was no evidence connecting Idris to terrorism.
Following the findings, the Director-General directed his immediate release and approved financial compensation.
A source said the support would not end with the ₦3 million payment, noting that the Service also plans to assist Idris in restarting his livestock business to ease his reintegration into society.
After regaining his freedom, Idris reportedly expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership for the decision. His father, Yusuf Idris, also thanked the agency, saying the compensation would help the family recover from the ordeal.
Another security source explained that the DSS routinely provides psychological counselling, medical care and reintegration support to detainees who are cleared after internal investigations.
The source added that the agency’s review exercise, launched last year, was designed to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases to ensure innocent individuals are not kept in custody without justification.
The official cited previous cases where detainees were released after similar reviews. These include Sunday Ifedi, who was freed in December 2025 after allegations linking him to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra were dismissed.
He reportedly received ₦10 million in compensation, while the DSS also promised to rebuild a restaurant in memory of his late wife, who died while in custody.
The source also referenced the cases of Abuja businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe, who reportedly received ₦10 million after her release in October 2025, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor and five others who allegedly received ₦2 million each after being cleared, as well as Ya’u Mohammed from Yobe State, who was released last month after investigations reportedly found no ties to terrorism.
