The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned seven suspected commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on terrorism charges, accusing them of receiving funding and operational directives from Finland-based agitator Simon Ekpa, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for terror-related offences.

The seven suspects were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in three separate case files — FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025 — all filed on November 19.

According to court filings, the defendants were identified as IPOB commanders, arms couriers, Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters, and foot soldiers who allegedly received funds and material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based associates.

One of the accused, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, allegedly an illegal immigrant from Niger Republic, was said to have operated an unlicensed Bureau-de-Change (BDC) and acted as a key financial conduit for IPOB operations in the South-East. The DSS claims he received and disbursed large sums used to fund attacks.

The details were disclosed in a statement issued by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS. The statement also highlighted other recent terrorism prosecutions handled by the agency.

Dozie announced that the DSS had secured the conviction of Ismaila (a.k.a Mai Tangaran), a leader of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), who coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano and other critical facilities. Arrested in 2017, Ismaila was convicted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 18.

He was sentenced to 15 years on the first count and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four — all to run concurrently — under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

The DSS also provided updates on other ongoing terrorism cases:

• Trials of Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara) — two internationally wanted terror suspects — will resume on January 15, 2026, before Justice Nwite.
• Prosecution continues for Khalid Al-Barnawi, accused of masterminding the August 26, 2011 UN building bombing in Abuja. Al-Barnawi and four others are standing trial for their roles in the attack.
• Five additional suspects have been arraigned in case FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Dozie further disclosed that ten suspects linked to violent attacks in Benue and Plateau states have been arrested following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to track down the perpetrators.

He added that more suspects are also set for arraignment, including:

• Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy) — an internationally known ISWAP commander recaptured by security forces. He has reportedly confessed to masterminding the St. Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo and an attack on Deeper Life Church, Okene.
• Musa Abubakar, identified as a key arms manufacturer and supplier, arrested in Plateau State.

The statement noted that upon assuming office in August 2024, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi ordered a comprehensive review of all inherited cases and mandated forensic investigations to support robust prosecution in line with Nigerian law.