The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, after clearing him of links to terrorist activities and approved an initial N3 million compensation to support his reintegration.
Marwana, a native of Katsina State, was arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of school pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and subsequently investigated over possible links to the activities under investigation.
A security source said an investigation panel reviewed Marwana’s case and found no evidence linking him to the membership, financing, logistics or operations of 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.
Following the findings, the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, ordered Marwana’s immediate release and approved an initial N3 million compensation to assist him with his immediate needs and support the restoration of his livelihood.
Marwana was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, after being discharged from DSS custody.
The source said Marwana expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership 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 said.
Marwana’s lawyer, Forgive, also commended the DSS Director-General for releasing his client and providing financial assistance after the investigation established that he was not linked to the terrorist activities under investigation.
The DSS said the compensation formed part of measures adopted by the current leadership to support individuals cleared after investigations and facilitate their reintegration into society.
The development comes against the backdrop of a major school abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Gunmen attacked three schools in the area on May 15 and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of one of the affected schools. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed, while the remaining victims were released on July 10.
Marwana’s release is the latest in a series of cases in which the DSS has compensated individuals after investigations or internal reviews cleared them of alleged links to criminal or terrorist organisations.
In June, the Service released Nura Idris, who had been wrongly linked to Boko Haram insurgents, after an internal review found no evidence of his involvement. The DSS approved N3 million in compensation to assist him in rebuilding his livelihood.
In another case, the Service released and compensated Kenneth Nwafor with N5 million in November 2025 after he was wrongly accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The DSS also released Abuja-based businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe in October 2025 and awarded her N10 million in compensation following a review of her case.
