The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against seven alleged Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) commanders linked to the group’s factional leader, Simon Ekpa, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
A court in Finland sentenced Ekpa to six years in jail for terrorism offences in September.
The DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the defendants received money and other support from Ekpa and IPOB members based abroad.
In the cases marked FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025, filed on November 19, the agency described one of the defendants, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, as an “illegal migrant” from the Niger Republic who operated a Bureau de Change (BDC) without a licence.
DSS alleged that Larabo provided financial services for the Ekpa-led faction of IPOB by receiving and distributing large sums earmarked for attacks in the South-East.
“The suspects were established to be IPOB commanders, arms dealers/couriers, ESN fighters, and foot soldiers funded and directed by Simon Ekpa, who has been convicted of terror-related charges and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Finland.
“Also, the DSS has successfully prosecuted Ismaila, a.k.a. Mai Tangaran, the terrorist who coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, and other critical facilities, resulting in many injuries.
“Ismaila was convicted and sentenced by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“The trial, which began in 2017, ended on 18 November when Justice Nwite pronounced his verdict.
“Ismaila, one of the leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), was convicted on the four-count charge brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013,” the statement read.
