The Director General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has directed the release of Kaduna based herder Nura Idris after an internal investigation found no evidence linking him to Boko Haram.
According to a statement issued by the DSS, Idris, a farmer and livestock owner from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested in June 2024 by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, before being handed over to the DSS over suspicions of terrorist involvement.
Following a thorough review of the case, the DSS concluded that the allegations against him were unfounded. The Director General subsequently approved his release and authorised a ₦3 million compensation package to aid his reintegration, with further support promised to help him rebuild his means of livelihood.
Speaking after regaining his freedom, Idris expressed appreciation to the DSS, describing the intervention as life changing and praising the humane treatment he received during his detention.
His release is part of the DSS’s ongoing review of inherited and prolonged detention cases aimed at ensuring innocent individuals are not wrongfully kept in custody.
So far, the Service has reviewed more than 30 cases and paid over ₦300 million in compensation to individuals found to have been wrongfully detained.
The review has also resulted in the release and compensation of several people previously accused of having links to IPOB and other terrorist organisations after investigations established they had no involvement.
The DSS said the initiative demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding national security while protecting the rights of citizens and strengthening public trust in the country’s security institutions.
