Inside The Arrest! Department Of State Services Reveals How Suspect Targeting Students Was Nabbed

DSS operative Michael Jego told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that the agency monitored and eventually apprehended the suspect, identified as John Agbo, after he allegedly sent threatening messages to multiple schools in the capital.

Jego, who testified as the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial, said the DSS received petitions in 2024 from three schools reporting text messages that threatened attacks, killings of students and teachers, and destruction of school property.

The schools named in the case include Premier International School, The Regent Secondary School, and Oakland International British School.

According to the DSS, the suspect allegedly used several GSM numbers to send the messages, warning that attacks could be carried out within minutes.

Agbo was arraigned on March 17 on a two-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024.

The DSS told the court that it launched an investigation following a petition from Oakland International School on November 28, 2024. Through digital tracking, operatives traced the suspect to Otukpo in Benue State, where he was arrested. A mobile phone and SIM card were reportedly recovered from him.

The witness further stated that Agbo was brought to Abuja, where he was interviewed and later volunteered a statement in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

During the trial, the prosecution tendered several exhibits, including the recovered mobile phone, copies of petitions, audio-visual recordings of the suspect’s interview, and his written statement. The documents were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence.

Although the defendant acknowledged familiarity with the phone presented in court, he denied owning it.

Under cross-examination, Jego said the phone numbers used in sending the threats were provided in the petitions, but could not confirm that they belonged to the defendant. He added, however, that Agbo allegedly admitted involvement in composing the messages.

The case was adjourned to May 12 for continuation of hearing after the prosecution requested more time to present additional witnesses and evidence.