How DSS tracked, arrested four suspected IPOB members over operative’s murder

A Department of State Services, DSS, researcher has narrated however the concealed constabulary tracked and arrested 4 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, implicit the alleged abduction and sidesplitting of its operative, Ekpenyong Owoh.

The investigator, who testified arsenic the archetypal prosecution witness, PW1, connected Wednesday, told the Federal High Court successful Abuja that the defendants allegedly abducted Owoh, took him to an Eastern Security Network, ESN, camp, wherever helium was changeable respective times and buried successful a shallow grave.

The defendants are Michael Okafor, besides known arsenic Onyechimeleze; Chinedu Chukwudozie, alias Kante; Chibunna Olisa; and Chigozie Olisa, besides known arsenic Ability.

They were arraigned earlier Justice Joyce Abdulmalik connected September 28 connected a six-count complaint bordering connected coercion and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to perpetrate acts of terrorism, abducted Owoh portion helium was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State, and subsequently killed him.

They were besides accused of belonging to the proscribed IPOB and its equipped wing, ESN, arsenic good arsenic unlawfully possessing firearms, including an AK-47 firearm and a pump-action gun.

The defendants, however, pleaded not blameworthy to the charges.

Led successful grounds by prosecution counsel, Munirat Oladunjoye, the witness, identified by the codename AAA for information reasons, said helium had worked with the DSS for astir 17 years.

He told the tribunal that investigations began successful February 2022 aft Owoh's woman reported to the DSS Anambra Command that her hubby had gone missing portion travelling from Port Harcourt to Awka.

According to him, a method investigation of the operative's movements showed that helium was past seen live successful Osomogu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He added that Owoh's Toyota Pontiac conveyance was besides traced to the community.

The witnesser said the DSS subsequently collaborated with the subject due to the fact that the country was allegedly a stronghold of IPOB and ESN.

He disclosed that the cognition led to the apprehension of 1 Chinyere Okabue connected June 20, 2026, whose apprehension provided accusation that yet led to the apprehension of the defendants.

According to him, Okafor, described arsenic the main fishy and an ESN sub-commander, was arrested connected September 14, 2026, portion the 3 different defendants were arrested connected September 20.

Recounting the circumstances surrounding Owoh's alleged murder, the witnesser said the operative had called his woman connected February 23, 2022, informing her that helium would beryllium returning location to spot their newborn baby.

He alleged that Okafor and his co-defendants intercepted Owoh, seized him and took him to their camp.

The witnesser further claimed that Chibunna Olisa drove Owoh's conveyance into the camp, wherever the operative was detained until an ESN sub-commander identified arsenic Double Lion allegedly directed Okafor to termination him.

"He was changeable respective times and buried successful a shallow grave," the witnesser told the court.

AAA besides alleged that the 4 defendants had the ESN recognition mark, 1414, connected their bodies, claiming that the people was fixed to them arsenic a signifier of protection.

Following the allegation, Justice Abdulmalik directed the defendants to attack the tribunal and region their apparel 1 aft different to alteration the witnesser and their lawyers to inspect the marks.

The witnesser and defence lawyers, K.C. Ekwe and G.U. Oputa, reportedly confirmed the beingness of the marks.

The DSS researcher further alleged that aft Owoh was killed, Okafor converted the operative's Toyota Pontiac conveyance to his idiosyncratic usage and gave his mobile telephone to his girlfriend, Chinyere, arsenic a gift.

He said the pistillate was granted administrative bail aft investigators established that she was unaware of the alleged abduction and killing.

The witnesser besides told the tribunal that Okafor travelled to Cote d'Ivoire and aboriginal India, wherever helium was allegedly progressive successful transgression activities earlier being deported astir 2024.

He said that aft returning to Nigeria, Okafor went into hiding and worked arsenic a bricklayer successful Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area, earlier his eventual apprehension done an intelligence-driven operation.

The PW1 maintained that each 4 defendants voluntarily made statements to investigators successful the beingness of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

He said they were informed of their close to stay soundless and that thing they said could beryllium utilized against them successful court.

According to him, the statements were obtained successful a relaxed, air-conditioned situation and were admitted successful grounds aft the defence lawyers raised nary objections.

Justice Abdulmalik admitted the statements and marked them arsenic Exhibit TWT-5 Series.

The justice adjourned the lawsuit until November 16 for the cross-examination of the witnesser and continuation of the trial-within-trial.

She warned that the defence lawyers risked forfeiting their close to cross-examine the witnesser if they failed to look connected the adjacent adjourned date.

How DSS tracked, arrested 4 suspected IPOB members implicit operative’s murder