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
UK court jails Nigerian man for masturbating in front of a woman
British Transport Police said Odutola approached a woman on the train, looked her up and down and became aggressive when she refused to engage with him. He then exposed himself while sitting in a wheelchair and began masturbating while staring at the woman and telling her to “come over”
•A Nigerian man and registered sex offender, Babatunde Odutola
A Nigerian man and registered sex offender, Babatunde Odutola has been jailed in the UK after exposing himself and masturbating in front of a woman on a train travelling towards Manchester.
Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 14, after pleading guilty to outraging public decency and breaching a suspended sentence order.
The incident occurred around 7pm on Friday, September 11, on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly railway station.
British Transport Police said Odutola approached a woman on the train, looked her up and down and became aggressive when she refused to engage with him. He then exposed himself while sitting in a wheelchair and began masturbating while staring at the woman and telling her to “come over”.
A fellow passenger intervened and escorted the distressed woman from the carriage.
According to police, CCTV footage showed Odutola continued masturbating as other passengers walked through the carriage.
British Transport Police officers arrested him after the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly. He was subsequently prosecuted and jailed within 72 hours of the incident
News
Digital Economy Minister Says NDPC Now Properly Functional With New HQ
” An asset recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people has now been returned to productive use for the Nigerian people. That is reform made tangible,” he said .
Abuja| NDPC new headquarters commission , Tuesday, 15 September,2026.
An EFCC-recovered property allocated to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has been transformed to the new headquarters of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in Abuja, as its headquarters.
Speaking during the commissioned ceremony of the building, the Honourable Minister incharge of the ministry, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, described the facility as a tangible demonstration of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his commitment to building strong institutions that can support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The Minister emphasised that said the occasion represented more than the opening of a new office, but a reflection of the administration’s commitment to strengthening the institutions required to protect Nigerians and build trust in the country’s digital economy.
Dr. Tijani said, “Shortly after assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law, giving the NDPC the appropriate legal foundation and authority to protect the data and privacy rights of Nigerians.
The President also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to comply with established data protection laws and frameworks, demonstrating that government must lead by example in upholding the standards it expects from citizens and businesses.”
He added, “In the early days of the Commission, it was difficult to ask an institution to protect the data of over 200 million Nigerians and support one of Africa’s largest digital economies without the institutional resources to do so.
President Tinubu recognised this challenge and moved to solve it, approving the resources required for the NDPC to become properly operational and functional, while building towards becoming a sustainable institution in its own right.
He also directed that an EFCC-recovered property be allocated to the Commission as its headquarters.
“An asset recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people has now been returned to productive use for the Nigerian people. That is reform made tangible,” he said .
News
Boko Haram Denies Ceasefire with FG, Vows Continued Attacks
Boko Haram has strongly denied reports of a ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government and insisted that it will continue its campaign of attacks.
In a statement released by the group, the militants dismissed claims of any truce or negotiated pause in hostilities, describing such reports as false and misleading.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing operations against government forces and other targets, vowing that its attacks will persist without interruption.
The denial comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in the northeast and other affected regions, where the group has maintained a long-standing insurgency.
Security sources note that the latest statement appears aimed at clarifying the group’s position and rejecting any suggestion of dialogue or de-escalation with the authorities.
Military and government officials have not issued an immediate detailed response to the claim, though security operations against the militants remain active. Authorities continue to urge vigilance as the group signals its intention to sustain violence.
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