The Department of State Services, DSS, has released Mustapha Marwana a carpenter from Katsina State, after finding no evidence linking him to the Ansaru terrorist group or the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Marwana was arrested in connection with the May 15 kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. Following an investigation, the DSS said it found no proof of his involvement with terrorists or in financing terrorism.
A DSS source said the release was ordered by the Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, after Marwana was cleared. The agency also paid him N3 million in compensation for wrongful detention.
On May 15, 39 pupils and 7 teachers were abducted from three schools in Oriire LGA. One of the victims, the principal of one of the schools was among those taken.
One teacher, Michael Oyedokun was later killed by the abductors. The incident sparked protests and calls for urgent rescue.
The remaining victims were released on July 10.
In July, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment over the kidnapping. The convicts are Abdulrazak Umar aka Abu Khalifa, Yunusa Musa aka Yunusa bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani aka Abu Itisar. They were found guilty on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
Marwana’s case is the latest in a series where the DSS has compensated persons wrongly linked to criminal or terrorist activities.
June 202 Nura Idris.was released after being cleared of alleged Boko Haram links. He also got *N3 million.
November 2025 Kenneth Nwafor was released after being wrongly accused of IPOB membership. He received *N5 millio
-October 2025 Abuja businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe.was released after being cleared of suspected illegal bunkering. She was awarded N10 million.
The DSS said the compensation is to help those affected rebuild their lives after wrongful accusations.
