Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has formally charged seven high-ranking members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with terrorism offenses, alleging deep connections to the group's Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa.
The indictments, filed late Tuesday in the Federal High Court in Abuja, target a network accused of funneling funds and arms to fuel violent operations in southeastern Nigeria.
The suspects, described by authorities as IPOB commanders, arms traffickers, Eastern Security Network (ESN) militants, and rank-and-file operatives, face accusations of receiving financial and logistical backing from Ekpa and other IPOB figures operating abroad.
Court documents under file numbers FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025 detail how the group allegedly orchestrated attacks and sustained insurgency efforts through illicit channels.
Among the charged is Ibrahim Ali Larabo, a Nigerien national living illegally in Nigeria, who authorities say played a pivotal role in the group's financial web.
Larabo reportedly ran an unregulated Bureau de Change (BDC) operation, channeling massive sums of money to support IPOB's proscribed activities. His arrest has exposed what prosecutors call a sophisticated laundering scheme designed to evade detection.
Ekpa, the alleged mastermind behind the funding pipeline, was himself convicted in Finland earlier this year on charges related to inciting violence and terrorism.
He is currently serving a six-year prison sentence, marking a significant blow to IPOB's international operations. Nigerian officials hailed the charges as a step toward dismantling the group's overseas support structure.
The DSS emphasized that the prosecutions aim to curb foreign influence on domestic extremism, with trials expected to commence in the coming weeks. No pleas have been entered yet, and the suspects remain in custody pending arraignment.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com