The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and approved ₦20 million in compensation for them following investigations that cleared them of the allegations.

The four men, identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved ₦5 million compensation for each of the four individuals, bringing the total amount to ₦20 million.

Security sources disclosed that investigations by the agency established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive monthly payments of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.

According to the sources, the four men were allegedly recruited by members of IPOB who are currently standing trial over their activities.

The investigation reportedly established that they had been deceived into believing the proposed payments were part of the government’s amnesty arrangement.

Following the findings, the DSS cleared the four men of the allegations and approved their release.

The agency is also expected to provide them with medical and psychological support to assist their recovery and reintegration into society.

Their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, commended the DSS leadership for what he described as its commitment to protecting human rights while carrying out its responsibility of safeguarding national security.

Adeyanju also acknowledged the efforts of Ajayi in addressing cases involving individuals who were wrongly implicated in security-related allegations.

Speaking on behalf of the released men, Ibe expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership and described the day of his release as the happiest day of his life.

He said the experience had taught him an important lesson which he intended to share with others.

The latest release forms part of a wider review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.

Security sources disclosed that the DSS had reviewed more than 300 cases as part of the exercise, which has reportedly resulted in the release of several detainees following investigations.

The Service has also approved compensation for individuals cleared of allegations against them as part of efforts to address cases of wrongful detention.

Among previous beneficiaries were individuals who had been detained over alleged links to IPOB and other security-related offences.

The DSS has maintained that where investigations establish that individuals were wrongly implicated or harmed through its operations, appropriate remedies, including compensation, should be considered.