The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged seven suspected commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), all allegedly linked to Finland-based agitator Simon Ekpa, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants were arraigned in three separate suits — FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025 — filed on 19 November. They are accused of receiving funds and other material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based members of the group.

One of the suspects, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, identified as a major terrorism-financing agent, was described as an undocumented immigrant from Niger Republic operating an unlicensed Bureau de Change. Investigators say he handled and distributed significant sums of money used to fund the activities of IPOB and its armed wing, ESN, in the Southeast.

According to the DSS, the accused persons operated as IPOB commanders, arms couriers, ESN fighters, and operational foot soldiers under Ekpa’s direction. Ekpa himself has reportedly been convicted of terror-related offences in Finland and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

Update on Other DSS-Led Terrorism Trials

The agency also confirmed the successful prosecution of Ismaila (alias Mai Tangaran), an ISWAP commander linked to the 2012 attacks on the Kano State Police Headquarters in Bompai and other critical locations.

Ismaila, whose trial began in 2017, was convicted on a four-count terrorism charge by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 18 November. He received 15 years’ imprisonment on count one and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four, to run concurrently.

The DSS further disclosed updates on several high-profile cases:

Trials of Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara) — both internationally wanted terror suspects — will resume on 15 January 2026 before Justice Nwite.

Proceedings continue against Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing in Abuja, alongside four other defendants.

Five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo are facing a nine-count terrorism charge in case FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.

Ten additional suspects arrested over attacks in Benue and Plateau states are also undergoing prosecution, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to identify and apprehend all perpetrators.

The agency is preparing the arraignment of Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), a recaptured ISWAP figure accused of coordinating attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene.

Another suspect, Musa Abubakar, allegedly a major manufacturer and supplier of arms, was arrested in Plateau State and is also set for prosecution.

The report noted that since assuming office in August 2024, the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, ordered a comprehensive review of all inherited terrorism cases and mandated advanced forensic investigations to ensure diligent prosecution under Nigerian law.