DSS DG Frees Wrongfully Arrested Businesswoman, Approves N20m Compensation
- Nigeria News
- 03.10.2025
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- 16
DSS DG Frees Wrongfully Arrested Businesswoman, Approves N20m Compensation
In a landmark decision that underscores a new era of accountability within Nigeria’s security architecture,
the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of
Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman who was wrongfully arrested and detained on allegations of
illegal oil bunkering. Beyond her release, the DSS boss approved a N10 million compensation package for Mrs. Ozoadibe
and directed that five other wrongfully arrested individuals receive a shared N10 million payout.
This development, which has drawn attention across the security and human rights community, represents a significant
policy shift within the DSS. It aligns with Ajayi’s declared vision of justice, transparency, and professional accountability.
According to a reliable security source, Mrs. Ozoadibe’s arrest was carried out during an operation targeting an oil bunkering
syndicate. However, investigations revealed that her detention was unjustified and purely coincidental.
“In the course of investigation, DSS officers discovered that the businesswoman’s arrest was coincidental. Convinced, the DG directed
that she be released and duly compensated,” the source stated.
By promptly approving compensation, Ajayi signaled a strong departure from the past, where victims of wrongful arrests often
faced prolonged struggles for justice and redress.
The release of wrongfully detained individuals and the introduction of financial compensation is not an isolated action
but part of Ajayi’s broader policy reforms within the DSS. The source highlighted:
“You will realise that the release of wrongfully arrested and detained persons, and the award of compensation to them, have become
the new culture of the DSS since Mr. Ajayi took over as DG.”
This approach contrasts with the agency’s previous practices, where legal judgments against the DSS were often delayed or
ignored, and victims struggled for years without closure.
The policy shift is further illustrated by the case of a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in 2016.
While a Federal High Court awarded him N10 million in damages, it took nearly eight years—and Ajayi’s leadership—for
the DSS to settle the payment.
Not only did the new DG honor the judgment, he doubled the payout to N20 million and added
free lifetime medical care for the victim.
“It took eight years and the arrival of Tosin Ajayi as the DSS boss for the Service to agree to pay the N10 million.
Not only did he pay, he doubled it to N20 million and added free medicare for life,” the source confirmed.
Sources within the DSS describe Ajayi as a thoroughbred professional with firsthand experience of the complexities
and fallibility of intelligence operations. Upon assuming office, he reportedly advised DSS personnel to be meticulous
in their duties, acknowledging human error but insisting that mistakes must be corrected with fairness and transparency.
“As a thorough professional, Mr. Ajayi understands that even the best security agencies sometimes make mistakes. He directed his
operatives to admit mistakes when they occur and to show integrity by correcting them through releases and compensation,”
the insider explained.
This rare admission of institutional fallibility, coupled with tangible reparative measures, sets a new standard in
Nigeria’s security landscape.
Beyond compensation, Ajayi has introduced tighter measures to minimize wrongful arrests within the DSS. The legal
department has been tasked with enforcing stricter oversight and ensuring due process in all operations.
New protocols require that Investigation Officers conduct thorough checks before any arrests are executed.
These reforms are expected to improve public trust and reduce the reputational risks associated with wrongful detentions.
“In the bid to cut down on mistakes, the DG directed the legal department to ensure due process is painstakingly followed
in all cases. Now, standard procedure mandates thorough investigations before carrying out any arrests,” the source added.
Analysts argue that Ajayi’s reforms mark a significant turning point for human rights protection in Nigeria.
By releasing wrongfully detained individuals and compensating them, the DSS is aligning with international standards
of justice and accountability.
This not only strengthens the DSS’s credibility but also demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to embrace
transparent and people-centered security governance. Observers believe that if sustained, the policy could
help repair the strained relationship between security agencies and the public.
The release of Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe and five others, along with the approval of N20 million in compensation,
represents more than just a single act of justice—it signals a systemic shift within Nigeria’s security establishment.
Under Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS is moving towards greater accountability, professional integrity,
and respect for human rights.
If these reforms are institutionalized, the DSS could emerge as a model of accountable security practice in Africa,
setting the tone for broader governance reforms in Nigeria.
FAQs on DSS Reforms and Wrongful Arrests
1. Who is Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe?
She is an Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully arrested on allegations of oil bunkering but later cleared and compensated by the DSS.
2. How much compensation was awarded?
Mrs. Ozoadibe received N10 million, while five other individuals shared an additional N10 million, totaling N20 million.
3. What changes has DSS DG Oluwatosin Ajayi introduced?
He has introduced a culture of accountability, compensation for wrongful arrests, stricter legal oversight, and reforms to prevent wrongful detentions.
4. Has the DSS compensated victims in the past?
Yes, notably in the case of a Jos businessman mistakenly shot in 2016. Under Ajayi, the compensation was paid, doubled to N20 million, and included free medical care for life.
5. What is the wider significance of these reforms?
The reforms strengthen public trust, align Nigeria’s security agencies with human rights standards, and mark a shift towards transparent security governance.
