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Tag: DSS

  • Court remands TikToker DSS arrested for claiming Tinubu died

    Court remands TikToker DSS arrested for claiming Tinubu died

    A Chief Magistrate Court, on Friday in Abuja, remanded a social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre, who posted online videos purporting that President Bola Tinubu died as a result of a serious illness.

    Department of State Services (DSS) operatives arrested Isma’il days after he posted the fake videos on the TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju.

    He was charged on a two-count charge, it was gathered. 

    Count one of the two-count charge, titled “Publication of false news with intent to cause offence against public peace,” reads:

    “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (‘bola-asiwaju’) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace.

    You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

    Count two, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” reads:

    “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (‘bola-asiwaju’) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President.

    You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

    After taking arguments by both counsels to the DSS and that of the defendant, whose application for bail was denied, the presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, ordered Isma’il to be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned till August 19.

    Isma’il’s arraignment came a few days after a Journalism Professor at Kennesaw State University in the United States, Farooq Kperogi, apologised for publishing a false report that late President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced at the time of his death.

    Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, is being prosecuted by Finnish authorities for terrorism. However, Ekpa insists that his incendiary posts online were merely to create “content.”

    Last week in Abuja, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, told a Federal High Court that his online broadcasts, which prosecutors said led to the deaths of hundreds of persons, were a joke.

    In Finland, prosecutors, who are demanding a six-year prison sentence for Mr. Ekpa, say his separatist activities, conducted online and coordinated from Finland, may constitute terrorism under Finnish law.

  • Catholic Bishop lauds DSS, Army for rescuing priest, others from Boko Haram

    Catholic Bishop lauds DSS, Army for rescuing priest, others from Boko Haram

    The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, John Bakeni, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army for successfully rescuing a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, who was kidnapped on June 1, by Boko Haram insurgents. 

    Father Afina’s kidnap in Gworza, Borno State, had grabbed global headlines, as he had served as a priest in Alaska from September 2017 through 2024. 

    Kidnapped with the priest were, at the time, an unspecified number of fellow travelers on the Liman Kara- Gwoza road in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. 

    It was gathered that Father Afina and 10 women were on Monday rescued by DSS operatives in the State. 

    The operatives were supported by troops of the Nigerian Army. No ransom was paid for the rescued victims. 

    READ ALSO: Did court order Senator Natasha’s recall?

    Bishop Bakeni, who doubles as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, commended the gallantry and intelligence of the DSS operatives who rescued the 11 persons unhurt. 

    According to the Bishop, the Catholic community worldwide was excited at news that Father Afina was rescued after nearly two months in the hands of insurgents. 

    According to the Bishop, Father Afina was travelling from Mubi, Adamawa State, to Maiduguri, when his vehicle was ambushed at a military checkpoint after a rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles in his convoy, killing one occupant. 

    DSS officers in Zamfara State, also with support from troops of the Nigerian Army, last week rescued 32 kidnap victims in Shinkafi LGA of the state. 

    Security sources disclosed that the rescued victims included 27 women and five young boys, who have spent between two and four months in captivity. 

    It was gathered they have been handed over to the state government for medicare and documentation.

  • FCT police, DSS, military activate joint patrols to curb kidnapping, one chance

    FCT police, DSS, military activate joint patrols to curb kidnapping, one chance

    In response to recent security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Police Command has launched a coordinated joint security patrol with military and paramilitary agencies to tackle crimes such as kidnapping, “one-chance” robbery attacks, and vandalism of public property.

    Participating agencies include the Nigeria Police, Guards Brigade, Army Headquarters Garrison, Naval Unit Abuja, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    According to a statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the intelligence-led security operation was activated on Monday, July 7, 2024.

    She noted that the strategy is aimed at confronting criminal elements and ensuring the safety of FCT residents.

    “As part of these efforts, the Command will intensify stop-and-search operations at strategic locations, targeting suspects involved in one-chance robberies, vandalism, and scavenging activities, which have become a growing security concern,” the statement said.

    Read Also: Anambra Police, DSS in cold war over killing of Inspector

    The Command also revealed that the joint task force will move against individuals using unauthorised diplomatic plate numbers to commit crimes and evade law enforcement.

    “Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid driving vehicles with covered number plates, vehicles without number plates, or those bearing only one plate.

    “Likewise, individuals using vehicles with tinted glasses must ensure they possess valid tinted permit documents.

    “Vehicles found in violation of these requirements may be subjected to thorough checks, and the drivers may be delayed.

    “The Command urges all residents to cooperate with officers on duty, remain law-abiding, and exercise patience as these measures are being implemented for the safety of all.

    “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appeal for the public’s understanding and support during this period.

    “The FCT Police Command remains committed to its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property and will continue to do everything within its power to ensure the security and well-being of all residents”.

  • Anambra Police, DSS in cold war over killing of Inspector

    Anambra Police, DSS in cold war over killing of Inspector

    A cold war is brewing between the Anambra Police Command and the Department of Security Service (DSS) over the alleged killing of a Police Inspector. 

    The incident happened in Uli, Ihiala local government area along Owerri/ Onitsha expressway near the Danaks filling station during a ‘stop and search’ exercise by the police. 

    It has heightened tension in the State as the Police and DSS are pointing accusing fingers at themselves.

    Though the Anambra Police Command has described the incident as unfortunate and a mistake, some of the Police men are spoiling for retaliation while the DSS are not taking it lying low. 

    The victim, Inspector Bello Abdullah of the 29 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Awka, was part of a patrol team conducting routine checks when they intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle reportedly driving against traffic.

    Unaware that the vehicle was used by DSS operatives, the police team flagged it down for a search. 

    The DSS personnel allegedly resisted the move, and in the ensuing altercation, a fired bullet hit the victim. 

    He was said to have been rushed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi but confirmed dead on arrival

    Anambra Police command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, SP, told The Nation Thursday the two security outfits have settled amicably.

    Read Also: Anambra Police foil cult initiation ceremony, arrest six 

    He described it as a mistake, adding that the armed security operatives, in black attire, were said to have emerged from an unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicle, sparking suspicion and leading to an exchange of fire.

    He said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Awka for further investigation.

    But one of the Senior Police Officers, who spoke with The Nation in confidence, said the command would not allow such an incident to die, describing it as an affront to the Police

    Another Senior DSS source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation what the stop-and- search team did was an embarrassment to them, adding that they always claim superiority over other security agencies

    “Anyway they want it we are ready. We’ve kept quiet for a long time. Our handicap now is that the current Police commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu is a nice person. Otherwise, most of his men behave like untrained people, ” the source said

  • #EndSARS protest: Kanu’s incitement led to killing of 233 security agents, says DSS operative

    #EndSARS protest: Kanu’s incitement led to killing of 233 security agents, says DSS operative

    • Prosecution closes case

    No fewer than 233 security agents were killed during the  #EndSARS protest following incitements by the detained leader of the  Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu,  a prosecution witness has said.

    The witness, who is an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS),  added that at least 164 police stations and nine Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  offices were destroyed across the country, allegedly due to Kanu’s inciting remarks.

    The witness, who is the fifth in the terrorism trial of  Kanu at a Federal High Court in Abuja, gave the figures while testifying at the resumption of proceedings yesterday. 

    He was led in evidence by the prosecution  Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    He gave a breakdown of the incidents while going through a report tendered by Awomolo. 

    The operative also told the court that he knew Kanu through the mass media and had not met him personally.

    He added that he was mandated to lead a team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and DSS, including photographers and other Investigators, to gather records of the criminality that occurred between 2020 and 2021 during the #EndSARS protest. 

    READ ALSO: Governor Umo Eno and the lynch mob

    His words: “The assignment included taking records from heads of security agencies in the various states that we visited and updating death certificates of security agents that died, and reporting damage to properties during the EndSARS protest

     “There are photographs of public properties destroyed, the death certificates of officers that died and and their pictures.”  

    Awomolo later tendered a copy of the report on the assessment of the damage recorded, death reports and certificates of death of security agents, which the court admitted in evidence.

    While going through death reports and certificates of death of security officers, the witness admitted that 186 policemen, 37 military personnel and 10 DSS operatives were killed during the protest.

    The PW-5 said out of nine INEC facilities that were destroyed, Cross River had four, Anambra, one and Akwa Ibom,  two. 

    During cross-examination, one of the Defence Lawyers, Prof. Onyechi  Ikpeazu, asked the witness if he took part in the investigation of the charge against Kanu, to which he said no.

    “I  was not privy to the allegations, but was only instructed to take records of public properties destroyed and security personnel killed during the #EndSARS protest as a result of statements made by the defendant,” he said.

    He insisted that Kanu incited the protesters to kill security agents and instructed them on how to manufacture objects used in the protest.

    When asked if it was as a result of Kanu that there was a protest in Osun and  destruction of a court in  Lagos,   the witness said: “I do not know that, but I was asked to obtain  records as a result.”

    Ikpeazu asked him again: “Was it the defendant who told the protesters to destroy the Lagos court?  

    The witness replied: “It was on record that the defendant issued directives. My task was limited only to obtaining the records as a result of #EndSARS.” 

    “But your statement was not limited to taking records, and that is why I am asking you,” Ikpeazu told him.

    When asked if the protest was a Biafran issue, the PW-5 said: “The fact speaks for itself. Before, during and after the #EndSARS protest, the defendant made statements, urging the protesters to carry out insurrection against the Nigerian state.”

    The witness also said that his assignment was not to investigate Biafra but to obtain records relating to #EndSARS protest in which the IPOB leader made statements that led to mayhem at the time.

    When asked if he had heard about Aisha Yesufu before, the witness said yes, but said he did not know if she is an  IPOB member.

    When further asked if Yesufu was Igbo, the witness said: “I do not think she is Igbo.”

    When also asked if she is from Abia, the PW-5 said: “As I said, I have not investigated her (Yesufu) and do not know who she is.”

    When asked if he was aware that the protest was a result of police brutality, he said: “As experts, we know that in every protest, there are organic issues and issues that lace around it, and as experts, we are to identify the organic issues, though there might be secondary manifestations.

    When asked if he knew SARS, the witness, who responded in the affirmative, said: “It is Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”

    When the lawyer restated that Nigerians protested as a result of  brutality, the official responded that “Nigerians were instigated by subversive elements to go against the government of the day

    He admitted that though he was aware that there were extra-judicial killings by members of SARS in Lagos, Ibadan and Ifelodun in Oyo, he said he did not have the facts.

    According to the witness, those allegations were used as a pretence by subversive elements.

    He said Kanu is from the South East and the leader of the IPOB.

    After the cross-examination, Awomolo announced that the prosecution would be closing its case.

    He said after the evidence of the PW-5, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including broadcasts of activities of the leader of the IPOB.  

    The leader of the defendant’s legal team, Kanu Agabi (SAN) told the court that the defendant intended to make a no-case submission.

    Justice James Omotosho then gave the defence 14 days to file and serve the prosecution with its no-case submission.

    Justice Omotosho also gave the prosecution 14 days to respond and two days for the defence to reply on points of law.

    He adjourned till July 18 for adoption for adoption of the no-case submission.

  • #EndSARS protest: 233 security agents killed at Kanu’s incitement – DSS’ witness

    #EndSARS protest: 233 security agents killed at Kanu’s incitement – DSS’ witness

    The fifth prosecution witness in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that a total of 233 security agents were killed during the #EndSARS protest, allegedly owing to Kanu’s incitement.

    The witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), who spoke at the Federal High Court, Abuja while testifying at the resumption of proceedings in the case on Thursday, was led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    According to the witness, at least 164 police stations and nine Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s offices were destroyed across the country, allegedly due to Kanu’s inciting remarks.

    The witness said he knew Kanu through the mass media and had not met him personally.

    He gave a breakdown of the incidents while growing through a report tendered by Awomolo, which the court admitted in evidence as exhibits.

    The witness said 186 police officers, 37 military officers and 10 DSS operatives were killed during the mayhem in the South East and other parts of the country.

    The PW5 notes that he was instructed to lead a team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and DSS, including photographers and other Investigators, to gather records of the criminality that occurred between 2020 and 2021 during the #EndSARS movement.

    He added, “The assignment included taking records from heads of security agencies in the various states that we visited and updating death certificates of security agents that died and reports of damage to properties during the EndSARS protest

    “There are photographs of public properties destroyed, the death certificates of officers that died and their pictures,” he said.

    Awomolo later tendered a copy of the report on the assessment of the damage recorded, death reports and certificates of death of security agents, which the court admitted in evidence.

    While going through death reports and certificates of death of security officers, the witness admitted that 186 policemen, 37 military officers and 10 DSS officers were killed during the protest.

    He also gave a state-by-state breakdown of the number of deaths of security agents and the destruction recorded.

    He said eight policemen were killed in Abia State, 16 in Enugu, 16 in Imo, eight in Delta, among others.

    On the military personnel who lost their lives, he said Anambra recorded 12, Ebonyi recorded seven, Imo recorded three, Akwa Ibom had one death, etc, while DSS also lost officers in Abia, Anambra, among other states.

    On the number of police stations attacked, the witness said Imo recorded 20, Cross River had five, Lagos recorded 38, Ondo recorded 11, Osun recorded 1, Ekiti had 3 and FCT recorded 1, among others, making a total of 164 police stations in all.

    The PW-5 said out of the nine INEC facilities that were destroyed, Cross River recorded four, Anambra recorded one, Akwa Ibom recorded two, etc.

    During cross examination, Ikpeazu asked the witness if he took part in the investigation of the charge against Kanu to which he said no.

    “I am not privy to the allegations, but was only instructed to take records of public properties destroyed and security personnel killed during the #EndSARS protest as a result of statements made by the defendant,” he said.

    He insisted that Kanu incited the protesters to kill security agents and even instructed them on how to manufacture objects used in the protest.

    When asked if it was as a result of Kanu that there was a protest in Osun and the destruction of the Lagos court, the witness said, “I do not know that, but I was asked to obtain records as a result.”

    “Was it the defendant who told the protesters to destroy the Lagos court?” the lawyer asked.

    “It was on record that the defendant issued directives. My task was only limited to obtaining the records as a result of #EndSARS,” he said.

    “But your statement was not limited to taking records, and that is why I am asking you,” Ikpeazu said.

    When asked if the protest was a Biafran issue, the PW-5 said, “The fact speaks for itself. Before, during and after the #EndSARS protest, the defendant made statements, urging the protesters to carry out an insurrection against the Nigerian state.”

    The witness also said that his assignment was not to investigate Biafra but to obtain records relating to the #EndSARS protest in which the IPOB leader made statements that led to mayhem at the time.

    When asked if he had heard about Aisha Yesufu before, the witness said yes, but said he did not know if she is an IPOB member.

    When further asked if Yesufu was Igbo, the witness said: “I do not think she is Igbo.”

    When also asked if she is from Abia, the PW-5 said: “As I said, I have not investigated her (Yesufu) and do not know who she is.”

    When asked if he was aware that the protest was as a result of police brutality, he said: “As experts, we know that in every protest, there are organic issues and issues that are around it and as experts, we are to identify the organic issues” though there might be secondary manifestations.

    When asked if he knew SARS, the witness, who responded in the affirmative, said: “It is a Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”

    When the lawyer restated that Nigerians protested as a result of their brutality, the official responded that “Nigerians were instigated by subversive elements to go against the government of the day

    He admitted that though he was aware that there were extra-judicial killings by members of SARS in Lagos, Ibadan and Ifelodun in Oyo, he said he did not have the facts.

    According to the witness, those allegations were used as a pretence by subversive elements.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Prosecution closes case in Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial

    He said Kanu is from the South East and the leader of the IPOB.

    After the cross-examination, Awomolo announced that the prosecution would be closing its case.

    He said that after the evidence of the PW-5, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including broadcasts of activities of the leader of the IPOB, the prosecution was satisfied with the need to close its case.

    The leader of the defendant’s legal team, Kanu Agabi (SAN) told the court that the defendant intends to make a no-case submission.

    Justice James Omotosho then gave the defence 14 days to file and serve the prosecution with its no-case submission.

    Justice Omotosho also gave the prosecution 14 days to respond and two days for the defence to reply on points of law.

    He adjourned till July 18 for adoption for the adoption of the no-case submission.

  • We caught IPOB members eating human flesh, says DSS

    We caught IPOB members eating human flesh, says DSS

    The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday heard that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing – the Eastern Security Network (ESN) – were once caught eating human flesh.

    An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) said the group’s activities led to the killing of over 170 security agents in the Southeast.

    He said during one of DSS’ agents’ raids of ESN’s hideout, they met them engaging in cannibalism.

    “We saw some ESN members, about seven, with human heads and some eating human flesh, which they said was for spiritual fortification,” the witness said.

    The DSS official was led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), in the terrorism trial of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    The witness also said the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) did not issue a license to Kanu to import the radio transmitter he allegedly smuggled into the country to operate Radio Biafra.

    The fourth prosecution witness gave details of how the late former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, was killed on May 30, 2021, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    The witness said an NBC engineer confirmed that the German-made transmitter could only be procured and installed with a licence, which he said was never issued.

    “There was no application from the defendant. He brought in the transmitter illegally without approval,” the witness said, adding that IPOB members contributed money for the purchase.

    The witness said an ESN member, whom he identified as Uzuoma Benjamin, aka Onye Army, admitted receiving directives from Kanu to kill security agents and ensure that a deceased member of the group, Ikonso, was buried with 2,000 human heads.

    The witness also read where the said Onye Army claimed that he and other members of his group used the heads of 10 girls to prepare charms for their protection.

    He said the investigation revealed that the invasion of Owerri prison by IPOB members was directed by Kanu in one of his broadcasts, asking his followers to attack and kill security operatives.

    The DSS official said further investigation revealed that the defendant, in his broadcast, directed that Ikonso should be buried with 2,000 heads, but that only 30 were obtained.

    He said that when the DSS requested to access Onye Army, the police claimed he had fled.

    “We could not find Onye Army. The police said he had escaped from custody,” the witness said.

    He said records on the number of security agents killed in the Southeast stand at between 170 and 200.

    The witness said two DSS officials, including his driver, were among the victims, and that the killings cut across all security agencies.

    On how the ESN members operate, the witness said they are combatants who carry arms and attack the homes of prominent individuals and traditional rulers in the region.

    He said that because they lacked sufficient operational tools, they sometimes set up roadblocks to hijack vehicles for their operation.

    The witness identified some public property which he said IPOB and ESN members attacked and destroyed in the Southeast, including police stations.

    Read Also: Troops arrest IPOB logistics supplies, seize ammunition in Anambra

    On how Gulak died, the witness said he was among the first responders to the scene where the late chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was killed and his corpse recovered.

    He said on May 30, 2021, there was a total breakdown of law and order, as a result of the stay-at-home order declared by the defendant, through one of his broadcasts.

    The witness said later that day, one of his officers informed him that a prominent politician had been killed around Obiagwu.

    He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area told him that Gulak was in a hired cab when he was killed by IPOB members.

    The witness said the driver told him they were heading for the airport from Owerri town, when they saw a checkpoint mounted by men of the Nigerian Air Force who were preventing people from accessing the airport, and decided to take another route where they ran into the IPOB checkpoint.

    He added that the driver further said the IPOB members ordered the three of them in the car to disembark and demanded to know their tribes.

    He said the driver told him he introduced himself as an Igbo person, and that Gulak also said he was an Igbo man.

    But while the driver could speak Igbo when they were asked to speak, Gulak could not, following which they asked him to remove his cap and saw a Muslim prayer mark on his forehead.

    The witness said the driver added that upon seeing the prayer mark, one of the IPOB members said: “He is one of them,” following which they shot and killed him.

    The DSS official, who said he served in Imo State between 2019 and 2023, said the deceased’s corpse was evacuated in his (the witness’) car.

    Under cross-examination by defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness said there was no record of the importation of the transmitter.

    He said he could not say when the transmitter was brought into the country, but that he was among those who located where it was kept in Anambra State and brought it to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

    On how they were able to locate the transmitter, the witness said his team used some equipment to analyse a video (showing Kanu inspecting the transmitter) to ascertain the location of the transmitter in Anambra.

    He said he did not come across the names Benka Clearing and Forwarding and Chief Isaac Maduka in the course of the investigation.

    He also said he was not aware that Benka cleared the transmitter, as claimed by Ikpeazu.

    Asked if he was aware that Radio Biafra was registered in London and broadcast from there, the witness said that when Kanu was arrested in Lagos in 2016, he was arrested with his broadcast equipment.

    He said he was not present when the defendant was arrested in Lagos and that all he said about his arrest was what was relayed to him.

    The witness said the two guns he said they found were not recovered in the container in which the transmitter was kept, but under the mattress of Benjamin Madubugu, who lived on the premises.

    He added that Madubugu was later charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

    The witness said the container was brought into the country by one Igwe Anyiba, who was later found to be living outside the country.

    The witness said he was not aware that the Imo State Government stated that Gulak’s killing was political.

    After the cross-examination, the witness was discharged, following which Justice James Omotosho adjourned till Thursday, when the fifth prosecution witness will testify.

  • How DSS prevented kidnapping in Akwa Ibom, by CHRAN

    How DSS prevented kidnapping in Akwa Ibom, by CHRAN

    Akwa Ibom State was free of kidnapping during the Eid al-Adha festivities due to the pro-activeness of the Directorate of State Service (DSS), a group Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has said.

    In a statement by its  Director and Secretary, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, the group said the DSS smashed a sea pirate gang linked to the November 2024 kidnap of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian staff of MarkSino quarry in Cross River State, which during that attack, the kidnappers reportedly shot dead a Police Inspector attached to the workers, and carted away his AK-47 rifle.

    The CHRAN described the arrest by DSS as a major breakthrough in the crackdown on criminals terrorizing the state and the South-South zone.

    The arrest of the four gang leaders, who were also reportedly linked to the kidnap of big business owners and prominent traditional rulers in Uyo, Eket, and Oron axis as well as other neighbouring states in the South South, for some time, highlighted the resolve of the DSS to secure Nigerians through its sustained covert operations.

    Read Also: DSS, military continue dislodgement of bandits, neutralise 45 in Niger

    The Center further stated that, during a covert operation at the weekend, the DSS arrested four suspected commanders of the gang with two AK-47 rifles and six fully-loaded magazines at their hideout in Oron local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The Center quoted a security sources as saying “the gang members, according to preliminary security reports, invaded Akwa Ibom State, targeting to kidnap top politicians who attended the formal defection ceremony of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), an event that coincided with the Eid El-Kabir holiday.

    “The history of the operations of this notorious gang primarily involved targeting high-ranking expatriate staff of oil companies, high net worth business owners, and prominent traditional rulers across the South-South geo-political Zone,” the source asserted.

    Commending the DSS for the feat and other strides in Akwa Ibom State, the CHRAN called on the Service not to relent in executing such covert operations as they are strategically needed to drastically reduce the protracted menace of sea piracy, kidnapping and other high profile crimes in the country.

  • DSS: no arrest plan over shadow govt call

    DSS: no arrest plan over shadow govt call

    • Secret police ask court to bar Utomi, others from rallies

    The Department of State Services (DSS), formerly the State Security Service (SSS), is not interested in arresting anyone over the call for the formation of a shadow government, its lead lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), has said.

    The 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, also called Prof. Pat Utomi, recently led the call for the formation of such a government.

    Kehinde spoke yesterday after filing a fresh application before the Federal High Court in Abuja for an interlocutory injunction restraining Utomi from further making public comments or engaging in rallies over the subject of a suit pending against him on his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.

    READ ALSO: At Ikogosi Warm Springs, nature is king

    Addressing reporters, the lawyer said: “Our client is not interested at arresting anybody in respect of this matter, having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the honourable court to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘shadow government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named.

    “It must be pointed out that our client, under its current leadership, is a very civilised organisation with absolute confidence in the rule of law. That is why it or any of its personnel will always approach the court of law whenever it feels that there is any infraction on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel, like the case instituted against SERAP by some of its personnel, is being compromised. Let the court have the final say.

    “Gentlemen, we must all ensure that constitutional democracy and the rule of law have its way in Nigeria.

    “It is good that as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, you are keeping watch over the case filed against the formation of a ‘Shadow Government’ by Prof. Pat Utomi and his group.

    “The civil suit, as you are aware, was filed by the DSS in consonance with its statutory mandate of ensuring internal peace and avoidance of any form of insurrection and treasonable felony against the democratically elected government in the country.”

    Kehinde added: “We, as counsel to the DSS, have just filed an application seeking an interlocutory injunction against the defendant and his group pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    “The application, being a public document, can be obtained from the registry of the honourable court.

    “The application is premised on the fact that despite the pendency of the substantive action, the service of same on the defendant and the entry of appearance to same by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the defendant has continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos in the country, instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilised parties before the court are expected to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.

    “What our client has submitted to the court is for the interpretation of the Constitution: whether any form of government by whatever nomenclature can be formed or allowed outside the Constitution.”

    The new application seeks mainly “an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programmes, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme(s) aimed at sensitising, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet’ or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said ‘shadow government’ pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit”.

  • DSS, military continue dislodgement of bandits, neutralise 45 in Niger

    DSS, military continue dislodgement of bandits, neutralise 45 in Niger

    In a daring and surprise raid, tactical teams of the Department of State Services (DSS) with back up from the Nigerian Military, have degraded about 45 bandits around Kuchi town, Munya LGA, Niger State, The Nation gathered on Wednesday. 

    The operation, which was carried out in a stealth manner, marks yet another victory in the sustained offensives against bandits in the area. 

    Security sources revealed the DSS had with clear precision followed the trail of the bandits and prevented an invasion on the villages to orchestrate massive attacks, planned by kingpin Dogo Gide, and other bandits loyal to him.

    According to the sources, intelligence diligently acquired from the agency’s renewed covert efforts revealed that the terrorists who were from Bilbis forest, Maru LGA of Zamfara State and some parts of Kaduna State were invited by Gide to attack villages in the Kuchi area. 

    “In the early hours of Monday, 2nd June 2025, bandits from Kaduna and Zamfara States, numbering about 100, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, advanced towards Kuchi town in Munya LGA.

    “However, operatives launched a surprise attack and waylaid the bandits in the outskirts of Kuchi town. The operatives engaged the fleeing dissidents in a gun duel, which saw the elimination of the bandits, with several injured and motorcycles and ammunition recovered. 

    “Meanwhile, the reports also indicate that five of the DSS operatives sustained severe injuries and are currently hospitalised.

    “This ambush which is a part of sustained offensives against the bandits, followed the earlier decimation of over 50 bandits, has dealt a heavy blow on Dogo Gide who in the past months has been losing huge territories to the superior firepower and covert disruptions by operatives deployed to these troubled spots.

    “Serious heat has been turned on them, and we hope they will be sustained. We pray that these efforts, by the SSS that appear quite new and aimed at saving our communities from the bandits, will continue,” a source said. 

    This success, which comes just after the dislodgement of several bandits by operatives of the agency, in the same LGA, will bring relief to the local communities.