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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

DSS frees, compensates artisan cleared of Oyo school kidnapping link

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, who was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
  • Investigators cleared Marwana after a thorough probe found no evidence linking him to the Ansaru terrorist group, which is blamed for the attack.
  • The DSS also approved an initial compensation of N3 million for Marwana to assist him in restarting his livelihood, as part of measures to support cleared individuals.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Mustapha Marwana, a carpenter arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State. The Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, ordered his release after investigators cleared him of any link to the attack.

Following the review, investigators found no evidence linking the carpenter to membership, financing, logistics or operational activities of the terrorist group.

— Security sourceExplaining the findings of the DSS panel that cleared Mustapha Marwana.

A security source privy to the case revealed that a DSS panel conducted a comprehensive investigation into Marwana's alleged involvement. The panel found no evidence connecting the Katsina-born artisan to membership, financing, logistics, or operational activities of the Ansaru terrorist group, which has been blamed for the attack.

Consequently, the DSS DG ordered his immediate release and approved the payment of initial N3 million as compensation to assist him in meeting his immediate needs and restarting livelihood.

— Security sourceDetailing the actions taken by the DSS Director-General after Marwana was cleared.

Consequently, the DSS DG ordered Marwana's immediate release and approved an initial compensation of N3 million. This sum is intended to help him meet his immediate needs and restart his livelihood. Marwana was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who expressed gratitude to the DG for his compassionate intervention and generosity in establishing his client's innocence.

Mustapha was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who received him following his discharge from custody.

— Security sourceDescribing the moment of Marwana's release.

The compensation is part of a broader initiative by the current DSS leadership to support individuals cleared after investigations and facilitate their reintegration into society. The source recalled similar cases where the DSS provided compensation, including a N20 million payment to a Sokoto businessman in 2016 and N10 million to an Abuja-based businesswoman in October 2025. The DG has reportedly balanced national security with citizens' rights, leading to over N300 million in compensation payments.

Mustapha thanked the DG for what he described as a compassionate and humane intervention.

— Security sourceReporting Marwana's reaction to the DSS DG's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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