The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Mustapha Marwana, a carpenter who was arrested during investigations into the abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.
According to a security source familiar with the case, DSS investigators found no evidence linking Marwana to the attack, after which the Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, ordered his release.
The source said a DSS panel conducted a detailed investigation into the allegation and concluded that the Katsina-born artisan was neither a member of any terrorist organisation nor connected to the Ansaru group, which has been blamed for the attack.
Following the review, the DG reportedly approved an initial compensation of N3 million to help Marwana meet immediate needs and restart his livelihood.
Marwana was subsequently released to his lawyer, Oghene Forgive, who received him after his discharge from custody.
According to the source, the artisan expressed appreciation to the DSS leadership for what he described as a humane and compassionate intervention, while his lawyer also thanked the Director-General for ensuring that his client’s innocence was established.
The compensation is said to be part of measures being adopted by the current DSS leadership to support individuals who are cleared after investigations and to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The source recalled that in 2016, Ajayi reportedly approved N20 million compensation for a Sokoto-based businessman who was mistakenly shot during a security operation in Jos, and that an Abuja-based businesswoman, Chineze Ozoadibe, was released and paid N10 million in October 2025 after a review of her case.
The source added that the DSS has paid more than N300 million in compensation under the current leadership in cases where investigations established innocence.
The Oriire attack occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen suspected to be Ansaru terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery/Primary School and L.A. Primary School, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers.
Two victims were later killed, while the remaining captives regained their freedom on July 10, 2026 following a military operation.
Security agencies have since arraigned several suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Three defendants have already been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges, while other suspects, including two alleged Ansaru commanders, are still standing trial.
