The Department of State Services has released a Kaduna-based farmer and herder, Nura Idris, after an internal review reportedly cleared him of alleged ties to Boko Haram, security sources familiar with the development told The Punch on Saturday.
According to the sources, the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, authorised Idris’ release after investigators found no evidence linking him to terrorism.
The Service also paid him N3 million as immediate compensation and pledged further assistance to help him restart his livestock business.
Idris, who hails from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was reportedly arrested in June 2024 by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, over suspected terrorist connections before being transferred to DSS custody.
The sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said the DSS review panel conducted a comprehensive reassessment of the case and concluded that the allegations against Idris were unfounded.
“Following a thorough review of Nura’s case, the DSS investigation panel found no basis for the charges against him, prompting the DGSS to order his immediate release and payment of compensation,” the source said.
The official further disclosed that Ajayi directed that Idris receive additional support beyond the monetary compensation to enable him to rebuild his means of livelihood.
After regaining his freedom and receiving the compensation, Idris reportedly expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership for the intervention.
His father, Yusuf Idris, also commended the DSS Director-General, noting that the financial support would assist the family in recovering from the hardship they had endured.
Another security source said the Service routinely offers post-release support to detainees who are exonerated following internal reviews.
“When such cases are recorded, the DSS would usually follow up with the detainee, provide psychological and medical support, after which the agency would further set up any business of the victim’s choice,” the source said.
The source explained that Idris’ case was among a number of detention matters revisited under an internal review programme launched by the DSS last year to examine inherited and prolonged cases and prevent the continued detention of innocent individuals.
The official pointed to several previous cases handled under the review process, including that of Sunday Ifedi, who was arrested alongside his wife, Calista, in November 2021 over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Ifedi was released in December 2025 after a review reportedly cleared him of any wrongdoing.
According to the source, the DSS awarded Ifedi N10 million in compensation and had begun plans to reconstruct a restaurant in honour of his late wife, who died while in detention.
The source also referenced Abuja-based businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe, who was reportedly released and compensated with N10 million in October 2025, as well as Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor and five other former detainees who allegedly received N2 million each after being cleared.
Another beneficiary of the review process, Ya’u Mohammed from Yobe State, was released last month after investigations reportedly found no connection between him and terrorist activities.
