DIRECTOR-GENERAL DSS ORDERS RELEASE OF WRONGFULLY ARRESTED BUSINESSWOMAN AND OTHERS; APPROVES ₦20 MILLION COMPENSATION

opeolumartinOctober 2, 202503 mins

Abuja, October 2, 2025

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman who was wrongfully arrested in connection with alleged oil bunkering activities.

Following an internal review, the DSS determined that Mrs. Ozoadibe’s arrest was unjustified and coincidental. In light of this, Mr. Ajayi has approved ₦10 million in compensation for her wrongful detention. The DSS also announced that an additional ₦10 million will be shared among five other individuals who were similarly detained without proper cause.
In an official statement, the DSS acknowledged the mistake and reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency under the current leadership. “This decision reflects the Service’s renewed commitment to justice and institutional responsibility. Under Mr. Ajayi’s directive, the DSS will not hesitate to admit errors and provide redress to affected persons,” the statement read.

This is not the first time the DSS under Mr. Ajayi has taken such a step. In a separate case, a businessman in Jos who was mistakenly shot by DSS personnel in 2016 received ₦20 million in compensation and was granted lifelong medical care—well above the amount ordered by the court.
Mr. Ajayi emphasized the importance of professionalism within the Service, urging DSS operatives to conduct thorough and accurate investigations before making arrests. He also called for a culture of honesty and accountability, noting that acknowledging mistakes is not a weakness but a mark of institutional strength.
The decision has drawn commendation from civil society groups and legal practitioners, who view the compensation as a positive signal of reform within the DSS.

Mrs. Ozoadibe, speaking briefly after her release, expressed relief and thanked the Service for taking responsibility. “I hope this will prevent others from going through what I experienced,” she said.
As the DSS moves to strengthen internal protocols and restore public confidence, this latest development marks a significant shift in how the agency handles cases of wrongful detention and operational misconduct.