The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, after a DSS investigation cleared him of alleged links to terrorist activities.
It was learnt that the decision followed a detailed review of Marwana’s case by a DSS investigation panel, which established that the Katsina-born carpenter was not a member of any terrorist organisation and had no operational connection with the Ansaru terrorist group.
Marwana was arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of school pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He was subsequently subjected to further investigation to determine whether he had any involvement in the activities under investigation, the source said.
“Following the review, investigators found no evidence linking the carpenter to membership, financing, logistics or operational activities of the terrorist group,” a source said.
Following the outcome of the investigation, Ajayi ordered Marwana’s immediate release and approved an initial ₦3 million compensation to assist him with his immediate needs and help him restart his livelihood.
The source said Marwana was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who received him after he was discharged from custody.
Marwana reportedly expressed appreciation to the DSS Director-General for what he described as a compassionate and humane intervention, while praying for Allah’s guidance and protection for the agency’s leadership.
According to the source, Marwana said the gesture had given him an opportunity to rebuild his life.
His lawyer, Forgive, also thanked Ajayi for what he described as his generosity and commitment to establishing his client’s innocence.
The source said the compensation formed part of measures adopted by the current DSS leadership to support individuals cleared after investigations and facilitate their reintegration into society.
The source also recalled previous cases in which the DSS provided compensation to individuals cleared of wrongdoing.
Among them was a Sokoto-based businessman who received ₦20 million after he was accidentally shot and injured during a pre-dawn raid in Jos in 2016 as a result of mistaken identity.
The source also cited the case of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Chineze Ozoadibe, whose release was ordered by Ajayi in October 2025, alongside a ₦10 million compensation package, after a review of her case.
The source said Ajayi had, since his appointment as DSS Director-General, sought to balance national security responsibilities with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
“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.
“There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration. These are the kind of measures through which the Service is strengthening public confidence and building trust,” the source said.