Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Department of State Services has ordered the immediate release and payment of N3 million in compensation to a Katsina-born carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, after a thorough investigation cleared him of any involvement in the abduction and killing of school pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved the release following a review by an investigation panel that found no evidence linking the artisan to the Ansaru terrorist group or any terrorist activities, marking a significant moment of accountability in Nigeria's counter-terrorism efforts and demonstrating that even in the fight against insurgency, the rights of the innocent must be protected.
Marwana was arrested in connection with the May 15, 2026 attack on three schools in Oriire, Oyo State, when suspected Ansaru terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers. Two of the victims lost their lives before the remaining captives were freed on July 10 following a military operation. The carpenter was subsequently detained and subjected to a detailed investigation to determine the extent of his involvement in the activities under investigation.
According to a security source who spoke to multiple news outlets, the DSS investigation panel established that the Katsina-born artisan was not a member of any terrorist organisation and had no operational links with the Ansaru terrorist group. "Following the review, investigators found no evidence linking the carpenter to membership, financing, logistics or operational activities of the terrorist group," the source said. "Consequently, the DSS DG ordered his immediate release and approved the payment of initial N3 million as compensation to assist him in meeting his immediate needs and restarting livelihood."
Marwana was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who received him following his discharge from custody. Upon his release, the carpenter expressed profound appreciation to the DSS Director-General for what he described as a compassionate and humane intervention. "He prayed for Allah's guidance and protection of the DSS leadership, stating that the gesture has given him an opportunity to rebuild his life," the source stated. His lawyer also thanked the DSS leadership for its generosity and dedication to establishing his client's innocence.
The compensation, according to security sources, is part of measures being adopted by the current DSS leadership to support persons cleared after investigations and facilitate their reintegration into society. The source recalled that the DSS DG had previously handed N20 million compensation to a Sokoto-based businessman who was accidentally shot and injured during a pre-dawn raid in Jos in 2016 due to mistaken identity, and also ordered the release and payment of N10 million to an Abuja-based businesswoman, Chineze Ozoadibe, after reviewing her case in October 2025. "Since his appointment as DSS DG, Mr. Tosin Ajayi has been balancing national security responsibilities with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens, resulting in the payment of over N300 million as compensation," the source added, noting that these measures are helping to strengthen public confidence and build trust in the service.
The Oriire school abduction has been one of the most high-profile kidnapping cases in Nigeria this year. Security agencies have since arraigned several suspects linked to the attack before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with three convicts already sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges, while others, including two Ansaru commanders, are standing trial. The DSS's decision to release and compensate Marwana demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that innocent citizens are not left to suffer the consequences of wrongful arrest, even as the country continues its battle against terrorism and kidnapping.
For Marwana, a carpenter from Katsina who found himself caught in the crosshairs of a national security crisis, the DSS's action has offered a chance to rebuild a life that was nearly destroyed by suspicion and detention. His release and the N3 million compensation, while not erasing the trauma of his ordeal, represent a rare acknowledgment from a security agency that mistakes can be made and that justice, even when delayed, must ultimately prevail. As Nigeria continues to grapple with the twin scourges of terrorism and kidnapping, the DSS's handling of this case offers a blueprint for how security agencies can balance the imperative of national security with the fundamental rights of citizens.
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