Nura Idris, a herder from Kaduna State, has been released from the facility of the Department of State Service, DSS, two years after he was arrested and detained for an alleged link to the Boko Haram terror group.
Idris was released following what the SSS described as a thorough review of his case.
He was subsequently compensated with N3 million to cater for his immediate needs, according to a statement shared with this newspaper by the service spokesperson, Dozie Favour, on Saturday.
The statement noted that the DSS investigation panel found no basis for the charges against Idris, prompting the Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to “order his immediate release and payment of the compensation.”
The DG, according to the statement, also promised to help the herder in his business.
Mr Idris was arrested by “a sister security agency” in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024, for alleged links with terrorists, and was thereafter transferred to DSS custody.
The SSS spokesperson said Mr Idris thanked the DSS boss for what “he described as a kind gesture, saying the money would help him restart his life.”
“I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” he was quoted as saying.
His father, Yusuf, who received Nura upon his release, also expressed appreciation to the DGSS for his compassion and generosity, and assured that the compensation would be put to good use, the SSS spokesperson said.
The release, she said, is part of an internal review exercise which the SSS began last year.
“The exercise is aimed at reassessing prolonged inherited cases to ensure that erroneously detained individuals do not remain in detention,” she said.
She stressed that the service under Mr Ajayi has continued to demonstrate that safeguarding national security and citizens must go hand in hand with upholding citizens’ rights and dignity.
