Metro

Kanu’s Radio Transmitter Import Was Unauthorised, DSS Tells Court

Published

6 months ago

June 18, 2025

The Department of State Services informed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the National Broadcasting Commission did not licence the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to import the radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into Nigeria to operate Radio Biafra.

The fourth prosecution witness, a DSS official identified as Mr DDD, stated this during his testimony in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu, instituted by the Federal Government.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the witness testified that after he and his team recovered the transmitter from a premises in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra State, they transported it to Abuja. Subsequently, the DSS contacted the NBC to inspect the device.

The witness said that on November 9, 2015, NBC sent an engineer to inspect the transmitter, who subsequently issued a report. Awomolo tendered a certified true copy of the provisional assessment report on the transmitter as evidence.

Reading from the report, the witness stated that the transmitter was German-made and designed for FM frequency broadcasting. The report further indicated that such equipment could only be legally procured and installed with a valid licence, which Radio Biafra did not have.

The DSS investigation revealed that to operate a radio station in Nigeria, an applicant must obtain a licence from the NBC after receiving clearance from relevant security agencies. “In this case, the defendant [Kanu] neither applied for nor received any approval. He illegally imported the transmitter,” the witness asserted.

The witness added that the investigation confirmed Kanu owned the transmitter, which he stored at the residence of one Benjamin Madubugu. Kanu later inspected the transmitter and recorded a video to assure IPOB members who had contributed funds for its purchase.

In further testimony, Mr DDD claimed IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, was responsible for between 170 and 200 deaths of security personnel in the South-East.

He recounted a statement from an ESN member, Uzuoma Benjamin, alias Onye Army, who allegedly described directives from Kanu to attack and kill security agents and bury a deceased IPOB commander, Ikonso, with 2,000 human heads.

The witness said IPOB’s activities included the 2021 Owerri prison attack, allegedly orchestrated by Kanu, and provided accounts of ESN members engaging in human sacrifices for “spiritual fortification.”

The witness read that Onye Army claimed that he and other members of his group used the heads of 10 girls to prepare charms for their protection.

He said that when the DSS requested from the police to access Onye Army, the police claimed he had escaped from custody.

He added that during one of DSS agents’ raids on ESN members’ hideouts, “we saw some ESN members, about seven, with human heads and some eating human flesh, which they said was for spiritual fortification.

“We could not find Onye Army. The police said he had escaped from custody,” the witness told the court.

On how the ESN members operate, the witness said they are combatants who carry arms and attack homes of prominent individuals and traditional rulers in the region.

He said that because they lacked sufficient operational tools, they sometimes set up roadblocks during which they hijacked vehicles for their operations.

Regarding the May 30, 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide, the witness recounted being among the first responders. He claimed Gulak was killed at an IPOB checkpoint after he failed to speak the Igbo language convincingly.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted there was no record of the transmitter’s importation and that he could not confirm when it was brought into the country. He revealed the transmitter was located using video analysis tools and was later recovered from Anambra State.

He also denied knowledge of certain individuals and companies allegedly involved in clearing the transmitter. The court was further informed that the transmitter was allegedly imported by one Igwe Anyiba, who resides abroad.

The witness added that two firearms were recovered from beneath a mattress on Madubugu’s property, and the latter was charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, the court discharged the witness. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case until June 20, for the prosecution to call its fifth witness.
(PUNCH)

Metro

PHOTOS: Borno Woman Recovers N23m Gold Buried During Boko Haram Escape

Published

12 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Borno State Police Command has helped a woman residing in the Mallam Fatori area recover gold worth ₦23.6 million that she buried in sand while escaping a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago.

The unearthed gold
In a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the state police commissioner, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity.

It read, “The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, PSC, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori Division and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity in recovering valuable property belonging to a female resident of the community.

“The woman, who fled Mallam Fatori during a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago, recently returned and sought police assistance to retrieve items she had buried in the sand while escaping the incident,” he noted.

Daso said that through diligent and coordinated efforts, the officers successfully recovered “22 cc of gold valued at approximately ₦20 million, as well as a gold bracelet with chain worth ₦3.6 million.”

He further stated that the Commissioner praised the officers for their honesty, dedication, and service, noting that their actions reflect the core values of the Nigeria Police Force and further strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.

“CP Naziru Abdulmajid reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting and cooperating with the police for enhanced security across the state,” Daso added.

Metro

Osun Monarch’s Burial Rites Turn Bloody

Published

13 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

Controversies over the burial rites for the 30th Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun, turned bloody on Monday as people opposed to observance of passage rites for him clashed with those that wanted honour befitting a royal father for the deceased.

In the fracas that occurred inside Iloro Market in Igbajo, on Monday, one man identified simply as Ifa was injured, while two other people reportedly sustained bruises.

The state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, amid protest, over Famodun’s death.

According to The PUNCH, a statement signed by Prince Adekunle Famodun on behalf of the family said Famodun “passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, after a brief illness,” at the age of 67.

“As you may recall, Oba Adegboyega Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on November 24, 2022, by the former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

“Although his position was disputed by a white paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State High Court reinstated him on January 30, 2025,” the statement read partly.

Before his appointment and installation as monarch, Oba Famodun had served as the Osun State chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

The PUNCH also reported on March 12, 2024, that Osun State Government approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, replacing Famodun.

But violent clashes erupted in the town when those believed to be loyal to late Famodun demanded that Iloro Market be shut in his honour.

But those opposed to the move, reportedly resisted the attempt to force some traders that opened for business to close shop.

In some of the video footages of the protest shared by a Facebook user, Taiwo Olaore, on Monday, unrest was observed in a market place, with some people demanding that the traders that opened for business, should shut down, as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Also, in the video, some women in white attire, bearing leave, rebuked the traders that opened for business and asked them to immediately close, and mourn the late Famodun.

Speaking further on the crises, a resident of Igbajo, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said “they wanted to do burial rite for Oba Famodun but another set of people insisted that the late monarch was a prince and not a king.

“In order to perform the rite, the Iloro market must be shut for three market days.

It was in the process of closing the market that the group opposed to the move mobilised to the market and insisted that they must close it.

“Three people were injured during the clash that occurred at the market. One of them is known as Ifa. His pictures with blood stained clothes circulated on the social media. The market was later shut,” he said.

Asked if the burial rites were being observed despite the curfew imposed by the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, he said “The burial rites are ongoing. Although people didn’t come out after the governor declared a curfew but those performing the rites carried on with their duties alongside supporters of the late monarch.”

He also said there was massive deployment of security personnel to the town to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Contacted for update on the security situation in Igbajo, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said one person was injured in the fracas that occurred in the town early on Monday, noting that normalcy has returned to the community.

“Our personnel are on the ground, but as of this morning when I communicated, no arrest has been made. Igbajo community is now peaceful. One person got injured during the clash,” Ojelabi said.

Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.