The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully arrested over alleged oil bunkering. She has been awarded ₦10 million as compensation. In addition, five other persons unlawfully detained will share another ₦10 million.
In a statement, the DSS explained that Mrs. Ozoadibe’s arrest was coincidental, stressing that her case reflects the Service’s new culture of admitting mistakes and compensating victims under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership.The statement further noted that this was not the first time the DG has taken such a step. In other cases, it had approved ₦20 million compensation and lifelong medical care for a Jos businessman mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in 2016, far exceeding the court-ordered award.
Mr. Ajayi urged DSS officers to ensure thorough investigations before making arrests, and to acknowledge and correct errors whenever they occur.