Terrorism: DSS Charges Seven IPOB Commanders
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The Department of State Services has filed terrorism charges against seven suspected commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra, alleging they are connected to Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa, who is currently in custody.
The charges were filed in three separate suits—FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025—before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 19.
A statement on Thursday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the DSS, Favour Dozi, said the suspects were accused of receiving funds and other material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based members of IPOB to advance the group’s activities.
Dozi said one of the accused persons, Ibrahim Larabo, described as an illegal immigrant from the Niger Republic, was charged with terrorism financing.
She alleged that Larabo operated an unlicensed Bureau de Change and provided financial services for the Ekpa-led faction, receiving and disbursing large sums for operations in the South-East.
Dozi said, “The suspects were established to be IPOB commanders, arms dealers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers funded and directed by Simon Ekpa, who has been convicted of terror-related charges and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Finland.”
The PUNCH reported that the Päijät-Häme District Court on September 1, 2025, sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences.
The report added that the 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
In a separate case, Dozi said the DSS secured the conviction of a terrorist identified as Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, for coordinating the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, and other facilities.
She said the trial, which began in 2017, concluded on November 18, with Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentencing him to 15 years on one count and 20 years each on three others, to run concurrently.
She also said the trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects—Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (Abu Baara)—will resume on January 15, 2026, before Justice Nwite.
“The prosecution of Khalid Al-Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the UN complex bombing on 26 August 2011, continues. Barnawi, alongside four others, is being prosecuted for his involvement in the bombing. Five others are arraigned on nine counts before the Federal High Court in Abuja in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State,” the statement added.
She further disclosed that 10 suspects arrested in connection with attacks in Benue and Plateau states are also undergoing prosecution, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for the arrest of perpetrators of recent violence in both states.
“Also to be arraigned are the recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), believed to be an internationally known ISWAP leader, who confessed to masterminding attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene; and one Musa Abubakar, a key manufacturer and supplier of arms and ammunition, who was arrested in Plateau State.
“The DG-DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in August 2024, ordered a review of all the cases he inherited. He also directed that forensic investigations be conducted on these cases to aid diligent prosecution in accordance with Nigerian laws,” she said.
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