The Department of State Services, DSS has released Anthony Ezimakor, the Abuja Bureau Chief of the Daily Independent Newspaper after holding him for about seven days at its Abuja headquarters.
Ezimakor was detained following a news report he wrote for the newspaper that detailed how senior officials of the agency were allegedly racketeering and profiting from the ransom payments made to the Boko Haram by the federal government.
His lawyer said the DSS unsuccessfully pressed him to disclose the identity of his source for the story in exchange for his freedom.
A source, who is close to the newspaper that has knowledge of the development said that he was freed around 10.30pm on Tuesday night.
His release followed wide condemnation of the DSS from both local and international rights groups over his detention.
