DSS releases carpenter cleared of Oriire links, awards N3m compensation
DSS
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Mustapha Marwana, a Katsina-born carpenter who was arrested over alleged links to the Ansaru terrorist group.
Marwana was reportedly arrested in connection with the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, in the Ogbomoso axis.
A DSS source confirmed that Marwana was released on the directive of the agency’s Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, after an investigation cleared him of membership of, or financing, any terrorist organisation.
The source said the carpenter was also awarded N3 million in compensation by the DSS.
In July, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of students and teachers at a school in Oriire LGA.
The convicts were identified as Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
They were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.
On May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of one of the affected schools.
The abductors later killed Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers.
The incident sparked outrage on social media and triggered protests demanding the release of the victims.
The abducted teachers and schoolchildren were eventually released on July 10.
Marwana’s release follows similar actions by the DSS involving individuals who were wrongly linked to terrorist or criminal groups.
In June, the agency released Nura Idris after an internal review cleared him of involvement with Boko Haram insurgents.
The DSS also approved N3 million in compensation to help him restart his life.
In November 2025, the agency released Kenneth Nwafor and awarded him N5 million after he was wrongfully accused of being a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Similarly, in October 2025, the DSS released Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman who had been transferred to the agency by a sister security organisation over alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.
She received N10 million in compensation.
