Nura Idris, a herder from Kaduna State, has been freed from the State Security Service (SSS) after spending two years in detention. He was arrested for supposedly having ties to the Boko Haram terror group.
Mr Idris' release comes after the SSS reviewed his case. He received N3 million to help with his immediate needs, according to a statement from the service spokesperson, Dozie Favour, on Saturday.
The SSS investigation panel found no reason to keep Mr Idris in custody. This led the SSS Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to “order his immediate release and payment of the compensation.”
Mr Ajayi also promised to support the herder in his business.
In June 2024, Mr Idris was arrested by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State. He was accused of being linked to terrorists and was later handed over to the SSS.
The SSS spokesperson noted that Mr Idris expressed gratitude to the SSS boss for what he called a kind gesture. He said the money would help him start over.
“I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” he said.
His father, Yusuf, welcomed Nura upon his release. He also thanked the DGSS for their compassion and generosity. He assured that the compensation would be used wisely, the SSS spokesperson added.
This release is part of an internal review that the SSS started last year.
“The exercise is aimed at looking into long-standing cases to make sure that wrongly detained individuals do not stay in custody,” she said.
She emphasized that under Mr Ajayi, the SSS continues to show that protecting national security should go hand in hand with respecting citizens’ rights and dignity.
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