The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a carpenter, Mustapha Marwana, after investigations cleared him of any involvement in the abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Marwana, who was arrested in connection with the incident, was released following a directive by the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, after investigators found no evidence linking him to the attack.

A security source familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a DSS panel conducted a thorough investigation into the artisan’s alleged involvement before clearing him.

According to the source, the panel established that Marwana, a 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.

The source said Marwana expressed appreciation to Ajayi for what he described as a compassionate and humane intervention.

Forgive, who received his client upon his release, also commended the DSS DG for his generosity and commitment to establishing Marwana’s innocence.

The source explained that the compensation was part of measures adopted by the current DSS leadership to support individuals cleared after investigations and facilitate their reintegration into society.

It was also gathered that Ajayi had, in 2016, approved N20 million in compensation for a Sokoto-based businessman who was accidentally shot and injured during a pre-dawn raid in Jos after being mistaken for a suspect.

The source further recalled the case of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Chineze Ozoadibe, whom Ajayi ordered released and paid N10 million in compensation in October 2025 after reviewing her case.

“Since his appointment as DSS DG, Ajayi has been balancing national security responsibilities with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens, resulting in the payment of over N300 million as compensation.

“There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration. These are the kind of measures through which the Service is strengthening public confidence and building trust,” the source added.

Gunmen suspected to be members of Ansaru had, on May 15, attacked 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.

Following the incident, security agencies arraigned several suspects linked to the attack before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Three of the suspects have since been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges, while others, including two alleged Ansaru commanders, are currently standing trial.