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DSS Releases Three Detainees Wrongfully Accused of Belonging to IPOB/ESN*20 other cases under review

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The Department of State Services on Tuesday released three persons detained on the suspicion of belonging to the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), and it’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), and involvement in the killing of seven Fulani cattle herders.

The Service is also reviewing more than 20 cases of persons believed to have been wrongfully detained, as a key part of the reforms being initiated by the new Director General of the secret police, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi.

The disclosure was made Tuesday night by Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju via his verified social media handles.

Adeyanju said the trio of Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba, and Ifesinachi Eze, who were arrested and wrongfully detained on the allegation of involvement in IPOB/ESN activities and killing of seven herders, were released yesterday (Tuesday),” stressing, “they have been reunited with their families.”

The lawyer described the release as part of the ongoing reforms by the new DSS boss to reposition the the Service and make it rule of law- compliant, including reviewing the cases of those in custody, charging to court where required, and releasing those wrongfully detained.

He stated, “We are currently working on more than 20 cases with the service and thank the DG of the DSS for his commitment to ensuring the right thing is done,” adding, “we are aware that there are hundreds of Nigerians with similar issues, and we are further appealing to the DG for a speedy process in the ongoing reforms.”

While the lawyer did not state if compensation was or would be paid the released detainees, security sources hinted that, going by the DG’s habit of paying compensation to wrongfully detained persons, it was most likely the trio would be compensated.

Just last week, the DSS DG directed that a businessman who owns a quarry on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway arrested by the Service since 2022 on the suspicion of kidnapping, be released and paid N10 million as compensation. It was reported that he might get more from the DG.

Another outstanding case was that of the payment of N20 million compensation to a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot in the leg by DSS operatives in 2016. Even after it was established by the DSS that the man was shot in error, and a court awarded the victim N10 million as damages, two DSS bosses refused to pay the victim. Instead, they appealed the judgement.
In May, the new DSS boss not only paid the businessman the N10 million awarded by the court, he added another N10 million and free lifetime medical services for the victim.

The DG has promised to speedily review the case of wrongfully detained persons in the DSS custody brought to his notice, saying he wouldn’t mind the source of the information so long as it yields results.

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Crime

3 Egyptians arrested for assault at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

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The Cross River Police Command has arrested three Egyptian nationals for allegedly assaulting a female security officer at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

The suspects Mohammed Ayan, 24; Mohammed Mohammed, 40; and Ahmed Mohammed, 20 were said to have entered the hospital premises around 12 noon on Monday to hawk household items, an act prohibited within the facility.

Zagazola confirmed from sources that a security officer, Christiana Ada Ewa, 34, attached to the hospital’s surveillance unit, attempted to stop the men from hawking when one of them, Ayan, allegedly assaulted her.

Her colleague, Ethan Ita Ansa, 24, intervened, resulting in a physical altercation between the parties. During the scuffle, Ansa’s uniform was torn and he sustained a finger injury, while Ayan also suffered bruises on his right eyebrow and knees.

Police detectives promptly visited the scene and arrested the suspects. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

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Crime

Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom.

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A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the tragic incident occurred on Sept. 22, 2025.

The source said the officer, who was also a medical doctor attached to the 6 Battalion Regimental Medical Officer (RMO), had a heated argument with his wife, Mrs. Samson Haruna, which resulted in her dousing him with petrol (PMS) and setting him on fire.

“The officer sustained severe burns and was immediately stabilised at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks before being evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for further management,” the source said.

The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.

It was further gathered that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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Crime

Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover firearms and POS machines in Abuja

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally-made pistol and several stolen items in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed a complaint lodged by one Kabiru Ahmed of Kasuwan Dare, Gwagwalada, who reported that two men swapped his Moniepoint POS machine on Oct. 1, 2025, at about 2:55 p.m.

Detectives from the Gwagwalada Division swiftly acted on the report and apprehended one Abdul Abdullahi of Kano State, who confessed to being part of a syndicate notorious for POS swapping and robbery within the area.

The suspect named his accomplices as Yusuf Abdul, Mustapha Abba, Faruk, and Abu Chibola, and later led police operatives to their hideout in Angwan Dodo, Gwagwalada.

However, the other suspects escaped through the ceiling and roof of the building towards a nearby river upon sighting the operatives. One female suspect, Rahama Michael was arrested at the scene.

Items recovered include one fabricated locally-made pistol, six POS machines, seven ATM cards, 37 SIM cards, six wristwatches, and one axe.

The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate.

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