A businessman from Sokoto, who was mistakenly shot by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2016, has received a N20 million compensation after years of legal battles.

Incident and Mistaken Identity

The incident occurred on April 2, 2016, in Jos, Plateau State, when DSS operatives raided the man's residence, mistaking him for a suspected arms dealer with a similar surname. During the operation, they shot him in the thigh before realizing their mistake.

Following the raid, the victim was taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) but was later abandoned by the operatives. The actual suspect was apprehended later that day and transferred to Abuja.

Years of Hardship and Legal Struggles

The shooting led to significant hardships for the businessman. Due to a doctors' strike at JUTH, he was transferred to a military hospital. The prolonged injury and financial difficulties forced him to relocate to Sokoto, where he struggled to rebuild his life.

He lost his fertilizer business, became deeply indebted, and was evicted from his home. Between 2019 and 2020, he suffered further tragedies, losing two young children to preventable diseases due to financial constraints.

Determined to seek justice, the businessman, through his lawyer Akibu Idris, sued the DSS in 2016. In 2018, the Federal High Court in Bauchi ruled in his favor, ordering the DSS to pay N10 million in damages for violating his fundamental rights. However, the agency appealed the ruling, delaying the payment. In 2019, the Court of Appeal in Jos dismissed the DSS’s appeal.

Compensation and DSS Goodwill Gesture

After persistent efforts by his lawyer, the DSS finally paid the court-ordered N10 million on March 15, 2025. In an unexpected move, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi personally added another N10 million as a goodwill gesture to help the businessman recover financially.

A DSS official confirmed that the businessman was also granted access to the agency’s medical facilities for further treatment. Although his external wounds have healed, he continues to experience mobility issues.

Moving Forward

Despite years of hardship, the businessman expressed gratitude for the support he eventually received. He now plans to return to Jos with his family and revive his business.

His lawyer, Akibu Idris, praised the DSS leadership for upholding justice and setting an example for accountability in Nigeria. He emphasized that the case reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and security agencies.

The businessman hopes his experience will serve as a lesson, ensuring greater responsibility in security operations to prevent similar injustices in the future.