DSS Pays ₦130m Compensation to Wrongful Detainees in Nigeria

• The DSS has publicly approved financial compensation for at least 13 individuals who were victims of wrongful detention, mistaken identity, or operational errors.
• The agency's human rights reform policy, introduced by Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, marks a significant departure from its past practices.
• The DSS has transformed into a more intelligence-led security outfit, focusing on building stronger ties with civil society members to achieve its objectives.

By publicly acknowledging and compensating victims of wrongful treatment, the agency is sending a strong signal that it is committed to accountability and transparency.

The appointment of Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi as Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in August 2024 marked a significant shift in the agency's approach to law enforcement. Unlike his predecessor, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, who led the DSS for six years under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, Ajayi was seen as a breath of fresh air, poised to align the agency's operations with Nigeria's democratic values. Nearly two years into his tenure, Ajayi has made significant strides in operational reforms, including implementing institutional changes that have transformed the DSS into a more intelligence-led security outfit. This transformation is evident in the agency's renewed focus on building stronger ties with civil society members to achieve its objectives.

As part of its efforts to address past mistakes, the DSS has publicly approved financial compensation for at least 13 individuals who were victims of wrongful detention, mistaken identity, or operational errors. Among those compensated was a Sokoto-based trader who was erroneously shot during a 2016 gunrunning raid in Jos and received N20 million, comprising N10 million court damages plus an additional N10 million goodwill payout, alongside lifetime free DSS healthcare. An Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully arrested on oil bunkering suspicions during a raid also received N10 million compensation. Five other individuals co-detained over the same investigation were awarded ₦10 million to share among themselves.

The DSS's human rights reform policy, introduced by Ajayi, marks a significant departure from its past practices. By publicly acknowledging and compensating victims of wrongful treatment, the agency is sending a strong signal that it is committed to accountability and transparency. This new approach is critical in building trust between the DSS and the public, particularly in an era where religion has become a fault line in Nigeria's society. The DSS boss's donation of schools to promote education and counter radicalisation is also a testament to his commitment to national unity and peace-building.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that the new human rights reform policy introduced by the DSS, which includes publicly approved financial compensation for victims of wrongful detention, may create a new precedent for agencies to follow in addressing past mistakes and ensuring accountability.

Source: Original reporting via DSS Untreads Its Old Path