Nigeria: SSS Frees, Compensates Man Wrongly Linked to Oyo Schoolchildren Abduction

What the report says

The State Security Service (SSS) has released and compensated Mustapha Marwana, a man it had wrongly linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to the Premium Times report distributed by AllAfrica, the SSS said an internal investigation found no evidence that Marwana was involved in the attack or had any ties to the Ansaru terror group.

The case relates to the May 15 kidnapping of 46 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oyo State, an incident that drew wide attention because the assailants also killed two teachers during the episode, including one at the scene and another in captivity. Premium Times reported that Nigerian security authorities later identified different suspects in connection with the abduction, while Marwana, described as a carpenter from Katsina, was not included in the charges filed against those accused.

The SSS said its director general ordered Marwana’s immediate release after a panel cleared him. The agency also approved an initial payment of N3 million to help him restart his livelihood, describing the gesture as part of a broader approach to compensating people found innocent after investigation. His lawyer and the service both said the release followed the review of his case. The development is notable because it highlights questions about arrest, investigation and redress in terrorism-related cases in Nigeria.