News
DSS Releases, Compensates Man Wrongfully Held Over Boko Haram Links
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of Nura Idris, a herder and farmer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was wrongfully detained over alleged links to Boko Haram terrorists.
Idris was cleared after a thorough review by a DSS investigation panel, which found no evidence to support the allegations against him. In addition to his release, the DSS chief approved N3 million in monetary compensation to support his immediate needs and pledged further assistance to help him restart his livestock and farming business — a standard practice under the current leadership.
According to security sources, Idris was arrested in June 2024 by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, and subsequently transferred to DSS custody. Following the panel’s findings, the DSS Director-General directed his prompt release and compensation.
Upon receiving the payment, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS boss. “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 Idris, who received him upon release, also commended the DSS for its compassion. He assured that the compensation would be used productively to rebuild the family’s livelihood.
The release forms part of an ongoing internal review exercise initiated by the DSS last year to re-examine prolonged and inherited cases, with the aim of ensuring that individuals erroneously detained are not left in custody indefinitely.
“When such cases are recorded, the DSS would usually follow up with the detainee, provide psychological and medical support, after which the Agency would further set up any business of the victim’s choice,” a source disclosed.
The exercise has reinforced the Service’s reputation for institutional integrity. “The setting free and compensations across multiple cases underscores the DSS’s growing reputation for institutional integrity and humanness,” the source added.
“The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security and citizens must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” the source further stated.
Other Notable Cases
The DSS has handled several similar high-profile reviews. In one case, Sunday Ifedi and his wife Calista were arrested in November 2021 and detained for alleged ties to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sunday was released in December 2025 after a review ordered by the current DG cleared him. He received N10 million in compensation, and the Service is planning to rebuild a restaurant in memory of his late wife, who died in custody.
In October 2025, the DSS released Abuja-based businesswoman Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe with N10 million compensation. Shortly after, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor (arrested in 2022) and five other individuals linked to IPOB were freed, each receiving initial N2 million payments.
Last month, a Yobe State resident, Ya’u Mohammed, was also released with N2 million in support after being cleared of terrorism connections.
The source noted that over thirty cases have been reviewed, with more than N300 million paid in compensation. “There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration,” the source said. “These are the kind of measures the DSS is using to build public trust.”
News
Goodluck Jonathan’s son graduates from UK varsity
The former president and his wife have two children, Ariwera Jonathan and Aruabi Jonathan.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has celebrated the graduation of his son, Ariwera Jonathan, from Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
Jonathan shared the news on his official Facebook page on Thursday, where he expressed pride in his son’s accomplishment and extended his best wishes for the future.
He wrote: “Congratulations to our son, Ariwera, on your graduation from Manchester Metropolitan University. Your mother and I are proud of your hard work. Wishing you the very best and a successful future ahead.”
The announcement was accompanied by photographs from the graduation ceremony showing Jonathan, his wife, Patience Jonathan, and their son.
The former president and his wife have two children, Ariwera Jonathan and Aruabi Jonathan.
News
Lagos approves harmonised 2026/2027 academic calendar for public, private schools
The approved calendar shows that the 2026/2027 academic session will commence on Monday, September 14, 2026, after a two-day Staff Professional Development (SPD) programme scheduled for September 10 and 11, 2026.
The Lagos State Government has approved a harmonised academic calendar for all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state for the 2026/2027 academic session, aligning both categories of schools under a single schedule.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, in a statement published on the official X account of the Lagos State Government on Thursday.
The approved calendar shows that the 2026/2027 academic session will commence on Monday, September 14, 2026, after a two-day Staff Professional Development (SPD) programme scheduled for September 10 and 11, 2026.
The first term will run until December 18, 2026, followed by a vacation from December 21, 2026, to January 8, 2027. The second term will begin on January 11, 2027, and end on April 16, 2027, while the third term will run from May 3 to July 30, 2027, with the long vacation commencing on August 2, 2027.
The move formalises a unified academic timetable for both public and private schools, replacing the previous practice where schools could operate on different calendars.
It is expected to improve coordination and consistency across the state’s basic and secondary education system while providing parents, teachers, and students with a predictable academic schedule.
The calendar allocates 64 school days for the first term, 61 school days for the second term and 57 school days for the third term, bringing the total number of instructional days for the 2026/2027 academic session to 182 days.
News
2027: IGP Orders Nationwide Mop-Up of Illegal Arms From Citizens
Disu emphasised we have to talk to members of the public, we have to do advocacy… And most importantly, so that we can do civil disarmament; civil disarmament of people with illegal arms in their possession.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered a nationwide civil disarmament operation, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disu issued the directive during a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja by the Director – General of the National Centre For The Control Of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Kokomo (rtd).
While expressing worries that illegally-manufactured small arms and light weapons were being transported across the country by road, and water, the IGP said operations aimed at dismantling arms manufacturing factories, as well as black markets, had been intensified.
Disu emphasised we have to talk to members of the public, we have to do advocacy… And most importantly, so that we can do civil disarmament; civil disarmament of people with illegal arms in their possession.
” We need to talk about it, we need to let people know that it is not only us putting on uniforms that are security operatives. “Everybody is the police, and the police are the com- munity, and the community are the police.“
So, everybody should know (that) anybody carry- ing illegal arms around, is going to use it on another citizen of the country”.
He continued: “So, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we recover all arms.
-
News2 days agoSenate Donates ₦50M to Families of Oriire Rescue Victims
-
Entertainment3 days agoBurna Boy Sets Record As African Artiste To Top Billboard Global 200 Chart
-
Sports3 days agoWhat the stars are saying before the semi-finals
-
Sports3 days agoWhy we lost to Spain – France coach Deschamps
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Police arrest fake PFIPC DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
-
News2 days agoFCT Court Grants ₦100m Bail to Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar
-
Health22 hours ago[UPDATES ] Nurse Mary Habila : Umahi clarifies possible cause of death
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Federal High Court Issues Bench Warrant for Arrest of ‘Fake’ DG Adeniyi Adeyemi
