The Department of State Services has filed terrorism charges against seven alleged commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), said to be working with Finland-based separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa.
The charges, filed on November 19 in three separate suits — FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025 — are before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a statement on Thursday, the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the suspects allegedly received funds and material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based members of the group to advance its operations.
She named one of the suspects, Ibrahim Larabo, described as an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic, as being charged with terrorism financing. According to the DSS, Larabo operated an unlicensed Bureau de Change that handled significant financial transactions for the Ekpa-led faction, including funds disbursed for operations in the South-East.
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Dozie said, “The seven suspects were accused of receiving funds and other material support from Simon Ekpa and foreign-based IPOB members. A key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, is an illegal immigrant who operates a BDC without a licence. He provided financial services for the proscribed group, receiving and disbursing large sums for IPOB terrorism activities in the South-East.”
The DSS added that the suspects served as IPOB commanders, arms couriers, arms dealers, Eastern Security Network fighters and foot soldiers allegedly directed and funded by Ekpa, who is serving a six-year prison term in Finland for terror-related offences.
In September, PUNCH Online reported that a Finnish court sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison for participation in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit terrorism, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
In a separate update, Dozie announced the conviction of a terrorist identified as Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, who coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, and other locations. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sentenced him on November 18 to 15 years on one count and 20 years each on three other counts, to run concurrently.
She added that the trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (Abu Baara), will continue on January 15, 2026, before Justice Nwite.
Dozie also noted that prosecution is ongoing against Khalid Al-Barnawi, accused of masterminding the August 26, 2011 bombing of the UN building in Abuja, alongside four others. Another five are being tried in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 over their alleged roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The DSS further disclosed that 10 suspects arrested over recent attacks in Benue and Plateau states are already facing prosecution, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to intensify action against perpetrators of violence.
She added that two high-profile suspects — the recaptured ISWAP commander Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), linked to attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene; and Musa Abubakar, an arms manufacturer and supplier arrested in Plateau — will also be arraigned.
Dozie said the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in August 2024, ordered a full review and forensic reassessment of all pending cases to ensure diligent prosecution in line with the law.
