Barely a month after directing the release and compensation of Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of another detainee, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, who had been in custody since July 2022 over alleged involvement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Nwafor, an indigene of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, was also awarded N5 million in compensation for his wrongful arrest, alongside an approval for free medical care.
According to credible security sources, a fresh and comprehensive investigation by DSS operatives cleared Nwafor of any wrongdoing.
The source explained that his release followed the DG’s standing directive to review all inherited cases to ensure respect for due process and timely justice.
“The DG directed his investigation officers to conduct detailed review of all pending cases, and they have been dutifully doing that. Nwafor’s case is one of such cases,”
the source stated.
Describing the action as consistent with Ajayi’s reforms, the source noted that three other Abia State indigenes — Udemba, Onyedikachi and Eze — also suspected of IPOB affiliation, were similarly released.
“The gesture, one of the several by the DG, is a testament to his resolve to comply with the rule of law and adherence to the service standard operating procedure,”
the source added.
He further explained that the DSS boss has prioritised accountability and correction of institutional errors.
“Mr. Tosin Ajayi acknowledges that as humans, we sometimes make mistakes. He also believes that when such mistakes are made, the right thing is to make amends. That is why he has established a culture of accountability and humanly makes efforts to remedy the mistakes of the Agency,”
the source said.
Citing previous examples, he recalled a 2016 incident involving a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot during a security operation.
“Remember he paid N20 million as compensation to one Jos-based businessman who was erroneously shot on the leg in the course of a security operation in 2016. Even when the court awarded N10 million in damages against the DSS, the agency refused to pay until Ajayi became DG. He doubled the money.”
The source noted that Nwafor is not the first Igbo detainee released and compensated under the current DSS leadership.
“Nwafor isn’t the first Igbo to be released and compensated under similar circumstances. Some months ago, the DG ordered the release of three young men wrongfully detained for belonging to IPOB.”
He also referenced a recent case involving the Abuja businesswoman freed in October.
“Last month, he paid N10 million as compensation to the Abuja-based Igbo businesswoman arrested by a sister security agency for alleged illegal oil bunkering. The DG added N10 million for five others to share,”
the source explained, adding that “this has become the trend since the new DSS leadership.”
This latest action further reflects Ajayi’s evolving posture of institutional reform, restorative justice and adherence to due process within the nation’s internal security agency.
