DSS DG Orders Release of Wrongfully Arrested Businesswoman, Approves ₦20m Compensation for Victims
DSS DG Orders Release of Wrongfully Arrested Businesswoman, Approves ₦20m Compensation for Victims
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully arrested over alleged involvement in oil bunkering.
Mrs. Ozoadibe, who was taken into custody earlier this year, was exonerated following fresh investigations that revealed she was not connected to the crime.
As part of remedial measures, the DSS announced that she would receive ₦10 million in compensation.
In addition, five other individuals who were unlawfully detained have also been granted a collective ₦10 million compensation package, bringing the total payout to ₦20 million.
According to a statement issued by the Service, the development reflects the DSS’s “renewed culture of accountability” under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership, which emphasizes correcting mistakes and compensating victims of wrongful detention.
The Service noted that this was not the first time the DG had authorized compensation beyond legal requirements. It recalled the case of a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in 2016, where Mr. Ajayi approved ₦20 million and lifelong medical care, surpassing the amount ordered by the court.
Mr. Ajayi, in his remarks, urged operatives to prioritize thorough investigations before making arrests and to acknowledge errors whenever they occur.
“This Service is committed to professionalism, fairness, and the protection of citizens’ rights. We will continue to admit and correct our mistakes as part of building public trust,” the DG said.
The move has been widely hailed by rights advocates as a positive step toward reforming Nigeria’s security institutions and restoring confidence in the DSS.
