The four individuals, identified as Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Bayelsa State.
Security sources disclosed that investigations revealed that the individuals had allegedly been deceived into believing they would receive monthly payments of ₦100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
According to the sources, members of IPOB who are currently standing trial allegedly recruited the four individuals with the promise of financial benefits.
Following their clearance, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved an initial payment of ₦5 million for each of the four individuals, bringing the total compensation to ₦20 million.
The security agency also reportedly approved medical and psychological support to assist them in recovering from their experience.
Their lawyer, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, commended the DSS leadership for what he described as its commitment to human rights protection and national security.
One of the released individuals, Ibe, expressed happiness over the development, describing the day of his release as the happiest of his life.
He said the experience had taught him an important lesson which he intended to share with others to prevent them from falling victim to similar circumstances.
The development marks the conclusion of the detention of the four individuals following their clearance by the security agency.
The DSS’s decision to approve compensation and provide medical and psychological support has also drawn attention to the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of individuals affected by security-related investigations.
