By John Moses
A witness from Nigeria’s intelligence agency has alleged that the activities of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia wing have caused the deaths of nearly 200 security operatives in the country’s volatile South East region.
The Department of State Services (DSS) officer, identified in court as DDD due to security protocols, gave detailed testimony on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu is standing trial on terrorism-related charges.
Appearing as the prosecution’s fourth witness, DDD alleged that IPOB, through its Eastern Security Network (ESN), had been responsible for numerous attacks, including the killing of police officers, military personnel, and DSS agents between 2019 and 2023.
The witness also testified that Kanu unlawfully imported and installed a German-made radio transmitter used for broadcasting Radio Biafra. According to DDD, the equipment was recovered in Anambra State, and a subsequent inspection by the National Broadcasting Commission confirmed that no licence had been issued for its use.
“This transmitter was smuggled in without proper clearance. NBC confirmed no legal application was ever made,” he told the court.
Beyond the transmitter, DDD presented further claims linking Kanu and his followers to ritualistic acts of violence. He cited confessions allegedly made by an ESN commander, identified as Onye Army, who reportedly described killings ordered by Kanu and the use of human heads for spiritual protection.
The court also heard new details surrounding the assassination of Ahmed Gulak, a political figure and former adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who was killed in Imo State in 2021. DDD claimed Gulak was murdered at an illegal checkpoint manned by IPOB members after failing to convince them he was of Igbo origin.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted he did not know when the transmitter entered the country and had no knowledge of claims that the equipment was cleared by a registered logistics firm. He also acknowledged being unaware of IPOB’s possible UK registration or reports suggesting Gulak’s death had political motivations.
The hearing continues on 19 June.
