The State Safety Service (SSS, additionally known as DSS) has filed terrorism expenses in opposition to seven individuals it says are commanders of the separatist group, IPOB.
In a press release on Thursday, the SSS mentioned the costs had been filed on Wednesday in opposition to the suspects who “had been accused of receiving funds and different materials assist from Simon Ekpa and different foreign-based members of IPOB.”
PREMIUM TIMES experiences that Mr Ekpa is presently in jail in Finland, the place he was convicted of selling terrorism in Nigeria.
Mr Ekpa leads a faction of IPOB, which needs an impartial nation of Biafra, made up of states in south-east and south-south Nigeria.
“A key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, accused of terrorism financing, is an unlawful immigrant from the Republic of Niger, working a Bureau de change (BDC) with no licence.
He offered monetary companies for the Simon Ekpa-led proscribed group, receiving and disbursing massive sums of cash for IPOB terrorism actions within the southeast,” the SSS wrote within the assertion signed by Favour Dozie, deputy director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, on the company.
Learn the total assertion by the SSS beneath.
DSS ARRAIGNS 7 IPOB COMMANDERS, GIVES UPDATE ON OTHER TERRORISM TRIALS
The Division of State Companies (DSS) has filed Terrorism Fees in opposition to seven IPOB key commanders linked to Simon Ekpa earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja.
Within the three separate circumstances, FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025;
FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025, filed on 19 November, the seven suspects had been accused of receiving funds and different materials assist from Simon Ekpa and different foreign-based members of IPOB.
A key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, accused of terrorism financing, is an unlawful immigrant from the Republic of Niger, working a Bureau de change (BDC) with no licence. He offered monetary companies for the Simon Ekpa-led proscribed group, receiving and disbursing massive sums of cash for IPOB terrorism actions within the southeast.
The suspects had been established to be IPOB commanders, arms sellers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot troopers funded and directed by Simon Ekpa, who has been convicted of terror-related expenses and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment in Finland.
Additionally, the DSS has efficiently prosecuted Ismaila a.okay.a Mai Tangaran, the terrorist who coordinated the 2012 assaults on the IPolice Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State and different essential services, leading to many accidents.
Ismaila was convicted and sentenced by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja. The trial, which started in 2017, ended on 18 November when Justice Nwite pronounced his verdict.
Ismaila, one of many leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), was convicted on the four-count cost introduced in opposition to him by the Division of State Companies(DSS) beneath the Terrorism Prevention Modification Act 2013.
Justice Nwite sentenced him to fifteen years in relation to rely one and 20 years on counts two, three and 4. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The DSS had earlier filed circumstances in opposition to two internationally-wanted terror suspects – Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara) – whose trial will resume earlier than Justice Nwite (of the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja) on 15 January 2026.
The prosecution of Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the UN advanced bombing on 26 August 2011. Al-Barnawi continues. Barnawi, alongside 4 others, is being prosecuted for his involvement within the bombing.
5 others are arraigned on a nine-count cost earlier than the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja in swimsuit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 over their alleged involvement within the June 5, 2022, assault on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
Equally, being prosecuted by the DSS are 10 suspects arrested in reference to assaults in Benue and Plateau states. The suspects had been arrested following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to apprehend the perpetrators.
Additionally to be arraigned are the recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), believed to be an internationally identified ISWAP chief, who confessed to having masterminded assaults on St Francis Catholic, Owo and Deeper Life Church, Okene and one Musa Abubakar, a key producer and provider of arms and ammunition, who was arrested in Plateau State.
READ ALSO: Court docket postpones convicted Nnamdu Kanu’s sentencing by over one hour, prosecution requires dying penalty
The DG-DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming workplace in August 2024, ordered the evaluate of all of the circumstances he inherited. He additionally directed that forensic investigations be carried out on these circumstances to assist diligent prosecution in accordance with Nigerian legal guidelines.
Favour Dozie.
Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
Division of State Companies (DSS)
20 November, 2025
