The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged seven individuals in court, alleging they are commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement on Thursday, the DSS said the suspects, arraigned on Wednesday, “received funds and other material support from Simon Ekpa and other foreign-based members of IPOB.”
Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish separatist, was arrested in Finland on 21 November 2024 for terrorism-related incitement and sentenced in 2025 to six years’ imprisonment.
The DSS indicated that the prosecution followed the uncovering of extensive financial, operational, and logistical networks linked to the suspects.
According to DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, three separate cases—FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025—were filed on 19 November.
The charges allege that the suspects received funds and other resources from Ekpa and foreign-based IPOB members to carry out attacks across the southeast.
Investigators identified one suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, as an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Niger who ran an unlicensed Bureau de Change. The DSS claims he facilitated substantial financial transfers and terrorism-related transactions for the Ekpa-led network.
Dozie stated, “The suspects have been identified as IPOB commanders, arms dealers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers, all funded and directed by Simon Ekpa, who has been convicted of terror-related charges in Finland.”
Separately, the DSS is prosecuting ten individuals linked to coordinated attacks in Benue and Plateau states, following directives from President Bola Tinubu to track and apprehend those responsible.
Among the suspects is Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, described by the DSS as a high-profile ISWAP operative recently recaptured.
What impact do you think this case will have on Nigeria’s future security operations? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
