The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered the immediate release of Nura Idris, a herder who was wrongfully arrested over alleged links to terrorism after an internal review cleared him of any wrongdoing.
DSS Director‑General Oluwatosin Ajayi approved Idris’ release after an investigative panel found no evidence linking him to Boko Haram. Ajayi also directed that Idris be paid N3 million as immediate financial support and helped to set up a business.
Idris, a herder and farmer from Soba LGA in Kaduna State, was arrested in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024 over alleged terrorist links. A senior agency official told Daily Trust that Idris was not initially arrested by the DSS but was transferred to the Service by another security agency. A comprehensive review found no basis for the allegations, prompting the DG’s orders.
Receiving the compensation, Idris said: “I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely.”
His father, Yusuf Idris, who collected him on release, thanked the DG for his compassion and generosity and said the money would be well used. Another source said the DSS usually provides psychological and medical support before helping affected people start businesses.
The release is part of an internal review begun last year to reassess prolonged inherited cases and free those wrongly detained. “The setting free and compensations across multiple cases underscores the DSS’s growing reputation for institutional integrity and humanness,” the source said.
The official added that under the current DG the Service shows national security must go hand in hand with protecting citizens’ rights and dignity, recalling other recent reviews — including Sunday Ifedi’s December 16, 2025 release and N10 million compensation — and over 30 cases with more than N300 million paid. “There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration,” the source said, adding, “these are the kind of measures the DSS is using to build public trust.”
