DSS frees man cleared of links to Ogbomoso abduction, pays N3m compensation
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Mustapha Marwana, a carpenter from Katsina who was detained over alleged links to the Ansaru terrorist group.
Marwana was arrested in connection with the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A DSS source said that the carpenter was released on the directive of Oluwatosin Ajayi, the agency’s director-general, after investigations found no evidence linking him to the membership or financing of a terrorist organisation.
The DSS also paid Marwana N3 million as compensation following his wrongful detention.
The development comes weeks after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire LGA.
The convicts — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar — were found guilty of offences relating to terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
They were prosecuted on a 10-count charge.
On May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of one of the schools.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the kidnappers.
The incident generated widespread outrage and protests, with Nigerians on social media calling for the safe release of the victims.
The abducted pupils and teachers were eventually rescued on July 10.
