The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a Katsina-born carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, after an investigation cleared him of alleged links to the Ansaru terrorist group.
Marwana was arrested over suspected involvement in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A DSS source said the carpenter was released on the directive of the agency’s Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, after investigations found no evidence linking him to the membership or financing of any terrorist organisation.
The DSS also awarded Marwana N3 million as compensation following his release.
His arrest was linked to the May abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA, where gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the kidnappers.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests, with Nigerians demanding the safe release of those taken hostage.
The victims were eventually released on July 10.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment in July over their roles in the abduction.
The convicts, Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar, were convicted on charges including terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
Marwana’s release is the latest in a series of cases in which the DSS has compensated individuals after investigations cleared them of alleged links to criminal or terrorist organisations.
In June, the agency released Nura Idris after an internal review found no evidence linking him to Boko Haram. The DSS also approved N3 million in compensation to help him rebuild his life.
In November 2025, the agency released Kenneth Nwafor after he was wrongly accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), awarding him N5 million.
Similarly, in October 2025, the DSS released Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman who had been transferred to the agency by another security organisation over allegations of involvement in illegal bunkering.
She was later cleared and awarded N10 million in compensation.
Ojo Triumph
