DSS frees four suspected IPOB members, pays ₦20m compensation

By Soni Daniel

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has approved the release of four persons detained over their alleged involvement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), alongside ₦20 million in compensation.

The four beneficiaries are Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry.

Security sources disclosed that they were arrested in May 2022 while allegedly attempting to establish an IPOB camp in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

According to the sources, investigations by the DSS established that the four men were still at the recruitment stage before their arrest.

One of the sources said the investigation revealed that they had been misled into believing that they would each receive a monthly payment of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.

The sources added that their remorse and good conduct while in detention, alongside the findings of the investigation, influenced the DSS DG’s decision to release and compensate them.

The latest development follows similar decisions by Ajayi to release other persons detained over alleged involvement in IPOB activities and approve financial compensation for them.

Last November, the DSS DG ordered the release of Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who was arrested in July 2022 over his alleged involvement in IPOB activities. He also approved ₦5 million compensation for him.

Before Nwafor’s release, three other men from Abia State — Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba and Ifesinachi Eze — were also freed and each awarded ₦5 million in compensation.

Earlier, in October 2025, Ajayi ordered the release of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs Chineze Ozoadibe, and approved ₦10 million compensation for her.

A security source said the DSS had acknowledged that, like other human institutions, the Service was not immune to mistakes.

The source said Ajayi had also pledged that whenever such mistakes were identified, the Service would acknowledge them, offer compensation and take steps to improve its operations in line with the rule of law.