Four Suspected IPOB Members Freed Following DSS Compensation Payment

Following investigations that cleared them of the charges, the Department of State Services (DSS) released four men who had been detained on suspicion of having ties to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and authorized N20 million in compensation.

Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the Director-General of the DSS, authorized an initial payment of N5 million to each of the four men as recompense for their unjust imprisonment.

Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry, and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, who were detained in May 2022 in the Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, are the recipients.

According to security sources, investigations revealed that the men had been duped into thinking they would receive N100,000 each month under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Program.

They were allegedly enticed by IPOB-affiliated people who are currently on trial.

The four men were welcomed by their attorney, Deji Adeyanju of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, who praised the DSS for its efforts to uphold human rights and national security.

Adeyanju also praised the professionalism and standards within the Service, describing the DG’s approach as a genuine attempt to uphold human rights.

A businessman from Jos who was accidentally shot by DSS officers in Plateau State was one of the previous beneficiaries, receiving N20 million.

Congratulations to the four freed suspects. It is encouraging that they are receiving compensation for the pain and hardship they endured. We also urge the DSS to conduct thorough investigations before detaining anyone, so that innocent people are not made to suffer unnecessarily.