DSS Frees, Compensates Artisan Wrongly Arrested Over Oyo School K!dnapping

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, who was wrongly arrested over the May 15 abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.

A security source told Punch that the Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, ordered Marwana’s release after investigators cleared him of any link to the attack.

The source said a DSS panel conducted a thorough probe into Marwana’s alleged involvement before clearing him. The panel reportedly found that the Katsina-born artisan was not a member of any terrorist organisation and had no operational ties to the Ansaru terrorist group blamed for the attack.

“Following the review, investigators found no evidence linking the carpenter to membership, financing, logistics, or operational activities of the terrorist group. Consequently, the DSS DG ordered his immediate release and approved the payment of an initial N3 million as compensation to assist him in meeting his immediate needs and restarting his livelihood.

“Mustapha was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who received him following his discharge from custody,” the source said.

Gunmen suspected to be Ansaru terrorists had, on May 15, invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers. Two of the victims were killed before the remaining captives regained their freedom on July 10 following a military operation.

Several suspects linked to the attack have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with three convicts already sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges, while others, including two Ansaru commanders, are standing trial.