Metro

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

Published

11 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.