The Department of State Services (DSS) has released three detainees arrested months ago on suspicion of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The three individuals; Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba, and Ifesinachi Eze had been in custody following the killing of seven cattle herders.
Their release on Tuesday night followed the completion of a case file review by the agency.
Their release comes as part of ongoing reforms initiated by the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, who has also ordered the review of at least 20 additional case files of detainees currently held by the agency.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release of the trio and praised the DSS for what he described as a positive step in the agency’s repositioning.
“We are currently working on more than 20 cases with the service and thank the DG of the DSS for his commitment to ensuring the right thing is done.”
Adeyanju emphasized that this approach aligns with democratic principles and reinforces the agency’s credibility.
“The ongoing reforms by the new DSS boss to reposition the service, including reviewing the cases of those in custody, charging to court where required and releasing those wrongfully detained, will make it a rule of law-compliant.”
He also appealed to the DSS to accelerate the process, stating:
“We are aware that there are hundreds of Nigerians with similar issues, and we are further appealing to the DG for a speedy process in the ongoing reforms.”
While the DSS has not made a formal statement on compensation for the released men, a senior operative told Daily Trust that it was likely, given the DG’s track record.
“Going by the DG’s habit of paying compensation to wrongfully detained persons, it was most likely the trio would be compensated.”
He cited recent instances where the DSS compensated individuals previously held in error.
“Just last week, the DSS DG directed that a businessman who owns a quarry on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway arrested by the Service since 2022 on the suspicion of kidnapping, be released and paid N10 million as compensation.”
The source added: “It was reported that he might get more from the DG. Another outstanding case was that of the payment of N20 million compensation to a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot in the leg by DSS operatives in 2016.”
Although the victim had initially been awarded ₦10 million by a court, the judgment had been appealed by previous DSS leadership. The current DG went beyond the court’s order.
“In May, the new DSS boss did not only pay the businessman the N10 million awarded by the court, he added another N10 million and free lifetime medical services for the victim.”
According to the official, the DG is determined to right past wrongs.
“The DG has promised to speedily review the case of wrongfully detained persons in the DSS custody brought to his notice, saying he wouldn’t mind the source of the information so long as it yields results.”