Justice Prevails: SSS Doubles Compensation for Wrongfully Shot Businessman After Nine-Year Battle

By Joshua Omoniyi 

In a remarkable turn of events that's restoring faith in Nigeria's justice system, a Sokoto businessman has finally received double compensation for a wrongful shooting by State Security Service (SSS) operatives that turned his life upside down nine years ago.

The businessman, who prefers to remain anonymous for safety reasons, was mistakenly shot in the thigh during a pre-dawn raid on April 2, 2016. SSS operatives had confused him with a suspected gunrunner who happened to share his last name.

"They came banging on doors at 4:30 in the morning," the businessman recalled. "Before I could even properly explain who I was, they shot me."

What followed was a nightmare that no family should endure. Left at Jos University Teaching Hospital during a doctors' strike, the businessman's injuries went untreated, forcing a move to a military hospital. His once-thriving fertilizer business crumbled, and debts piled up, leading to eviction from his home.

The tragedy didn't end there. After relocating to Sokoto, he lost two young children to preventable illnesses – a one-year-old daughter in 2019 and a six-year-old child in 2020 – because he couldn't afford proper healthcare.

But here's where the story takes an unexpected positive turn. While the courts had ordered the SSS to pay ₦10 million in compensation back in 2018, the current SSS Director-General, Adeola Ajayi, went above and beyond. Not only did the agency finally pay the court-ordered sum, but Ajayi personally added another ₦10 million as a goodwill gesture.

"This isn't just about money – it's about accountability," said Akibu Idris, the businessman's lawyer who fought the case pro bono. "This decision shows that justice might be delayed, but it won't be denied."

The businessman, who still struggles with mobility issues, plans to use the compensation to clear his ₦8.7 million debt and restart his business in Jos. He's also been granted access to SSS medical facilities for ongoing treatment.

"May Allah bless him," the businessman said of Director-General Ajayi. "While I can't forget what happened, I'm grateful for this chance to rebuild my life."

This case sets a powerful precedent for accountability in Nigeria's security agencies and shows that positive change is possible, even if it takes time. As the businessman prepares for his fresh start, his story serves as a beacon of hope for others seeking justice in similar situations.