The Department of State Services (DSS) has released detained #EndBadGovernance protesters who participated in the recent August 1-10 anti-hunger protests across the country.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the development followed the directive of the new director-general of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, that all those arrested during the protest and cleared of any wrongdoing be released immediately.

Confirming this, a security source, who was in the know, said the DSS boss had on September 19, 2024, “directed the immediate release of protesters who were arrested for their various roles in the #Endbadgovernance protests.”

The source further stated that in line with the directive, six persons held in Kaduna (names withheld) have been released immediately.

The source also noted that “three (other suspects) are being prosecuted for established prima facie cases.”

Another security source further noted that “the DG DSS reiterated citizen’s right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the constitution and regard for the rule of law, even as he is resolute on upholding the mandate of the Service of decisively investigating and bringing to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime.”

Meanwhile, one of the released protesters, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, commended the gesture for his release and expressed optimism on the humane face with which the Service conducted the investigation.