Abuja, The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, a businesswoman based in Abuja, who was wrongfully arrested in connection with alleged oil bunkering.
Mrs. Ozoadibe, who was found to have been mistakenly apprehended, will receive ₦10 million in compensation, according to a statement issued by the DSS. Additionally, five other individuals also found to have been unlawfully detained will share a further ₦10 million compensation package.
The DSS noted that Mrs. Ozoadibe’s arrest was a coincidence, and her case underscores the agency’s evolving culture of accountability and redress under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership.
“This decision reflects our renewed commitment to justice and professionalism. Mistakes must be acknowledged and corrected,” the DSS said.
This is not the first time the current DSS leadership has offered restitution beyond legal mandates. In an earlier case, the agency approved ₦20 million compensation and lifelong medical care for a Jos businessman mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in 2016 — significantly more than the court-ordered damages.
Mr. Ajayi emphasized the importance of due diligence during investigations, urging DSS operatives to uphold citizens’ rights and rectify wrongful actions without delay.
