The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against seven individuals identified as leaders of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
They are accused of receiving financial and other support from Simon Ekpa, based in Finland.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 20, the DSS indicated that the charges were submitted the day before, emphasizing that the suspects “were alleged to have received funds and material aid from Simon Ekpa and other IPOB members living abroad.”
Ekpa, who leads a faction advocating for an independent Biafra that includes areas in the southeast and south-south regions, is currently imprisoned in Finland after being convicted of promoting terrorism in Nigeria.
The statement highlights Ibrahim Ali Larabo as a significant figure in this case. The DSS describes him as an undocumented immigrant from Niger who operates an unlicensed currency exchange.
The agency claims he managed large sums of money for Ekpa’s faction, aiding in the receipt and distribution of funds used to support IPOB activities in the South East. The statement was issued by Favour Dozie, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications.
The suspects are characterized as IPOB commanders, arms dealers, couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers funded and directed by Ekpa, who has been sentenced to six years in Finland for terrorism-related offenses.
The DSS also mentioned the conviction of Ismaila (also known as Mai Tangaran), who coordinated the 2012 attacks on the oolice geadquarters in Bompai, Kano State, among other significant targets.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sentenced him under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2013 — 15 years for the first count and 20 years each for counts two, three, and four, to be served concurrently.
Additionally, the agency noted ongoing cases against internationally wanted suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (also known as Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (also known as Abu Baara), with their trial scheduled to continue on January 15, 2026.
The prosecution of Khalid Al-Barnawi, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the 2011 bombing of the UN building, is also ongoing, along with that of four co-defendants.
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Furthermore, five other suspects are facing nine charges related to their alleged involvement in the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which took place on June 5, 2022.
Additionally, 10 individuals arrested in connection with attacks in Benue and Plateau States are also being prosecuted, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to apprehend those responsible.
The agency indicated that it will also pursue further charges.
The agency noted that it will also bring charges against Abdulazeez Obadaki (also known as Bomboy), who is believed to be a well-known figure in ISWAP and has confessed to planning the attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo and the Deeper Life Church in Okene, along with Musa Abubakar, who is accused of manufacturing and supplying weapons and was arrested in Plateau State.
DSS Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, who took office in August 2024, has called for a comprehensive review of ongoing cases and has instructed that forensic investigations be carried out to ensure thorough prosecution.
