The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially commenced free medical care for a Sokoto-based businessman Umar Musa ibrahim who was mistakenly shot by its operatives during a 2016 operation in Jos, Plateau State.
In line with a directive from the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, the victim has been admitted to the DSS hospital in Abuja, where he is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention from top specialists.
A security source confirmed that the businessman arrived at the facility a few days ago and is being treated in the VIP ward, with full access to advanced medical care and complimentary meals.
“True to the DG’s instructions, he’s getting round-the-clock care. The priority is to help him regain full control of his limbs,” the source added.
Earlier in March, the DSS had paid ₦10 million in damages as ordered by a Federal High Court ruling in 2018 and awarded an additional ₦10 million ex gratia to compensate for the time lost, bringing the total compensation to ₦20 million.
The incident occurred during a pre-dawn raid in 2016 where DSS operatives had mistakenly shot the businessman, who bore the same name as the actual suspect, an alleged gunrunner later apprehended.
The businessman had sought redress in court through his lawyer, Idris Akibu.
In 2018, Justice Muhammed Shittu Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Bauchi ruled in his favour, ordering the DSS to pay ₦10 million in damages (Suit No FHC/J/CS/18/2018).
The DG’s directive to integrate the victim into the DSS healthcare system is part of ongoing efforts to offer justice and restore public trust, according to insiders.
“This is the third DG since this unfortunate case of mistaken identity happened. We were very happy when our new DG directed us to pay the money. He even added another ₦10 million to the victim’s money. It goes to show that not only can security agencies be law-abiding, we can also be full of the milk of human kindness,” the source declared.
Following up on the case, the DG of the DSS, in furtherance of his humanitarian assistance, ensured that our client was admitted and treated at the DSS Medical Centre along Airport Road in Abuja. Upon learning that the victim is now an employer of labour in his fertilizer business, where he has engaged five other Nigerians including a widow, the DG made an additional cash gift of ₦5 million to the client. He also extended a cash gift to the counsel who represented the client during the protracted legal process.
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