DSS Cracks Down: Seven Alleged IPOB Commanders Arraigned Over Simon Ekpa-Linked Terror Financing

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned seven suspected commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on terrorism charges, allegedly connected to Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The charges were filed on November 19 in three separate suits—FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025—before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a statement on Thursday, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozi, said the accused were allegedly financed by Ekpa and other foreign-based IPOB members to facilitate violent activities in the South-East.

Dozi noted that one of the suspects, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, an illegal immigrant from the Niger Republic, was specifically charged with terrorism financing. Larabo reportedly operated an unlicensed Bureau de Change, providing financial services for the Ekpa-led faction.

“He provided financial services for the Simon Ekpa-led proscribed group, receiving and disbursing large sums of money for IPOB’s terrorist activities in the South-East,” the statement said.

According to the DSS, the seven defendants allegedly served as IPOB commanders, arms dealers, arms couriers, Eastern Security Network fighters, and foot soldiers, all reportedly funded and directed by Ekpa.

Dozi reminded the public that Ekpa has previously been convicted of terror-related offences in Finland.

Ekpa’s Six-Year Terrorism Sentence in Finland
On September 1, 2025, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced Simon Ekpa, 40, to six years’ imprisonment for multiple terrorism-related offences, including participation in a terrorist organization, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish national and former municipal politician in Lahti, has long been linked to violent separatist campaigns in Nigeria.

Dozi also announced the conviction of a terrorist identified as Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, for coordinating the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State. 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.

Additionally, trial will resume on January 15, 2026, for two internationally wanted suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (Abu Baara).

The DSS further confirmed ongoing prosecutions, including that of Khalid Al-Barnawi, allegedly the mastermind of the UN building bombing on August 26, 2011. Five other defendants are being prosecuted in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Dozi added that 10 suspects arrested over recent attacks in Benue and Plateau States are also undergoing prosecution, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to identify and arraign those responsible for renewed violence. Among them are Abdulazeez Obadaki (Bomboy), an internationally known ISWAP commander who confessed to orchestrating the Owo and Okene church attacks, and Musa Abubakar, a major arms manufacturer and supplier, arrested in Plateau State.

The DSS statement noted that the Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in 2024, ordered a comprehensive review of inherited terrorism cases and directed forensic investigations to strengthen prosecutions.

“Investigations and prosecutions are being pursued diligently in line with Nigerian laws,” Dozi added.