The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against seven suspected commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), alleged to have links with Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa.
The charges were filed on November 19, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja under three separate suits — FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025.
In a statement, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the suspects were accused of receiving funds and other material support from Ekpa and foreign-based IPOB members to advance the group’s activities. One suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, described as an illegal immigrant from the Niger Republic, allegedly ran an unlicensed Bureau de Change and facilitated financial transactions for the Ekpa-led faction.
“The suspects were established to be IPOB commanders, arms dealers, Eastern Security Network fighters, and foot soldiers, all funded and directed by Simon Ekpa, who was convicted of terror-related charges in Finland and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment,” Dozie said.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish national and former municipal politician from Lahti, was convicted by the Päijät-Häme District Court on September 1, 2025, on multiple terrorism-related charges, including participation in a terrorist organization, incitement to commit crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
Dozie also highlighted the conclusion of another long-running terrorism case, in which Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, was convicted for coordinating the 2012 attacks on police facilities in Kano State. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to 15 years on one count and 20 years on three others, all to run concurrently.
Trials for other internationally wanted suspects, including Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, are set to resume on January 15, 2026. Prosecution continues against Khalid al-Barnawi, accused of masterminding the 2011 UN building bombing, alongside four co-defendants.
In addition, five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, and ten others connected to recent violence in Benue and Plateau states, are also undergoing prosecution.
Dozie noted that under the leadership of DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, who assumed office in August 2024, all inherited cases are being reviewed, with forensic investigations strengthening the agency’s capacity to secure convictions in accordance with Nigerian law.
“The DSS remains committed to dismantling terror networks, ensuring justice for victims, and protecting Nigerians from the threat of terrorism,” the statement added.
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