By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Department of State Services has filed terrorism charges against seven suspected commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, accusing them of receiving funds and logistical support from Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa and other foreign collaborators.
The charges were filed on November 19 in three separate suits before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
DSS spokesperson Favour Dozie said the suspects allegedly served as IPOB commanders, arms dealers, couriers and Eastern Security Network fighters under Ekpa’s direction.
One of the accused, Ibrahim Ali Larabo described as an illegal immigrant from Niger was specifically charged with terrorism financing for allegedly running an unlicensed Bureau de Change that channelled funds to Ekpa’s network.
The service revealed that the cases, FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025, outline details of the alleged financial and operational support structure linked to Ekpa, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence in Finland for terrorism-related offences.
In a related development, the DSS announced the conviction of Ismaila (popularly known as Mai Tangaran) for coordinating the 2012 attack on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano. Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced him to 15 years on one count and 20 years each on three others, to run concurrently.
Dozie added that the trials of two internationally wanted suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (Abu Baara) will resume on January 15, 2026.
Prosecution also continues in cases involving Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing, and suspects linked to the 2022 Owo church attack.
She further disclosed that 10 suspects arrested over recent attacks in Benue and Plateau states are already in court, while others, including recaptured ISWAP figure Abdulazeez Obadaki (Bomboy) and Plateau-based arms manufacturer Musa Abubakar await arraignment.
