A senior legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Hamza Dantani, has called for a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, urging the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to institutionalise compensation for innocent Nigerians wrongfully arrested, unlawfully detained or injured during security operations.
The call, which comes amid persistent concerns over arbitrary arrests and alleged abuses by security agencies, followed commendation for the Department of State Services (DSS) over what Dantani described as a groundbreaking policy of compensating victims of operational errors.
In a statement titled “DSS Compensation Initiative Sets Standard for Security Agencies,” the lawyer described the initiative introduced under the leadership of the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, as a significant departure from the long-standing culture of impunity that has often characterised security operations in the country.
According to him, the policy demonstrates that security institutions can admit mistakes, provide redress to innocent victims and still retain public confidence and operational effectiveness.
“This is a bold, commendable and unprecedented gesture that deserves national recognition,” Dantani said.
“It demonstrates that while security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to protect the nation, they also have a moral and legal obligation to acknowledge mistakes and provide remedies to innocent citizens whose rights have been violated.”
The human rights advocate argued that while the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime remains one of the nation’s foremost priorities, security operations must always be guided by the Constitution and respect for fundamental human rights.
“The pursuit of security must never come at the expense of justice,” he said.
“National security and respect for fundamental human rights are complementary principles that strengthen one another.”
Dantani maintained that accountability should not be viewed as a sign of institutional weakness but rather as evidence of professionalism and commitment to justice.
He noted that by compensating victims of wrongful operations, the DSS had demonstrated that public institutions could accept responsibility for mistakes without compromising their mandate to safeguard national security.
To buttress his argument, Dantani cited several individuals who reportedly benefited from the compensation policy.
Among them is Kaduna-based farmer and herder Nura Idris, who allegedly received ₦3 million after being wrongly accused of links to Boko Haram.
He also referenced Abuja businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe, who reportedly received ₦10 million after her wrongful arrest over allegations of oil bunkering.
The lawyer further mentioned a Sokoto trader who was mistakenly shot during a security operation in Jos in 2016 and was reportedly compensated with ₦20 million alongside lifetime medical care.
He also listed Umar Ibrahim, Alhaji Bello Rabiu and Jaja Sarki Bamo, who allegedly shared compensation after wrongful arrests over accusations of banditry and kidnapping, as well as 11 artisans from Osun State, who were reportedly compensated after being cleared of terrorism-related allegations.
According to Dantani, wrongful arrests often inflict devastating financial losses, emotional trauma and irreparable reputational damage on innocent citizens and their families.
Although financial compensation cannot erase such suffering, he argued, it represents an important acknowledgment that injustice occurred and that the government accepts responsibility for its actions.
He therefore urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security institutions to establish transparent compensation mechanisms for innocent persons who become victims of operational mistakes.
The lawyer also proposed broader institutional reforms to reduce the incidence of wrongful arrests, including improved intelligence gathering, stronger identity verification systems, wider use of forensic investigations, enhanced inter-agency intelligence sharing, continuous human rights training for personnel and the establishment of independent complaint review panels.
He cautioned security agencies against using arrests as investigative tools rather than as actions based on credible evidence.
“An arrest should never be treated as punishment, and detention should never become a substitute for proper investigation,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the DSS initiative would inspire similar reforms across Nigeria’s security sector and promote a culture of transparency, accountability and respect for constitutional rights.
“The true measure of a justice system is not only its ability to punish offenders,” Dantani added, “but also its willingness to protect the innocent, admit mistakes and provide justice when those mistakes occur.”
Background
Wrongful arrests and prolonged detentions have remained recurring concerns in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with courts frequently awarding damages against security agencies for violations of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Human rights organisations, including local and international advocacy groups, have repeatedly called for greater accountability within law enforcement institutions, arguing that arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions undermine public confidence in the justice system and weaken cooperation between citizens and security agencies.
Under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nigerians are guaranteed fundamental rights, including the right to personal liberty, dignity of the human person and fair hearing. These rights are further reinforced by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and various judicial pronouncements requiring law enforcement agencies to operate within the confines of the law.
Analysts believe that if compensation mechanisms similar to the one praised by Dantani are institutionalised across Nigeria’s security agencies, they could significantly improve professionalism, strengthen public trust and encourage greater respect for the rule of law.
For many observers, the debate is no longer whether security agencies should be held accountable for operational mistakes, but how quickly reforms can be implemented to ensure that innocent Nigerians are protected while the country’s security forces continue the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
