How DSS tracked, arrested 4 suspected IPOB members over operative’s homicide

The investigator, who testified as the primary prosecution witness, PW1, on Wednesday, advised the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendants allegedly kidnapped Owoh, took him to an Eastern Security Network, ESN, camp, the place he was shot a number of instances and buried in a shallow grave.

The defendants are Michael Okafor, often known as Onyechimeleze; Chinedu Chukwudozie, alias Kante; Chibunna Olisa; and Chigozie Olisa, often known as Ability.

The defendants, nevertheless, pleaded not responsible to the fees.

Led in proof by prosecution counsel, Munirat Oladunjoye, the witness, recognized by the codename AAA for safety causes, stated he had labored with the DSS for about 17 years.

He advised the court docket that investigations started in February 2022 after Owoh’s spouse reported to the DSS Anambra Command that her husband had gone lacking whereas travelling from Port Harcourt to Awka.

According to him, a technical evaluation of the operative’s actions confirmed that he was final seen alive in Osomogu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He added that Owoh’s Toyota Pontiac car was additionally traced to the neighborhood.

The witness stated the DSS subsequently collaborated with the navy as a result of the world was allegedly a stronghold of IPOB and ESN.

He disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of 1 Chinyere Okabue on June 20, 2026, whose arrest supplied info that finally led to the apprehension of the defendants.

According to him, Okafor, described because the principal suspect and an ESN sub-commander, was arrested on September 14, 2026, whereas the three different defendants have been arrested on September 20.

Recounting the circumstances surrounding Owoh’s alleged homicide, the witness stated the operative had referred to as his spouse on February 23, 2022, informing her that he can be returning residence to see their new child child.

He alleged that Okafor and his co-defendants intercepted Owoh, seized him and took him to their camp.

The witness additional claimed that Chibunna Olisa drove Owoh’s car into the camp, the place the operative was detained till an ESN sub-commander recognized as Double Lion allegedly directed Okafor to kill him.

“He was shot several times and buried in a shallow grave,” the witness advised the court docket.

AAA additionally alleged that the 4 defendants had the ESN identification mark, 1414, on their our bodies, claiming that the mark was given to them as a type of safety.

Following the allegation, Justice Abdulmalik directed the defendants to strategy the court docket and take away their garments one after one other to allow the witness and their attorneys to examine the marks.

The witness and defence attorneys, Ok.C. Ekwe and G.U. Oputa, reportedly confirmed the presence of the marks.

The DSS investigator additional alleged that after Owoh was killed, Okafor transformed the operative’s Toyota Pontiac car to his private use and gave his cell phone to his girlfriend, Chinyere, as a present.

He stated the girl was granted administrative bail after investigators established that she was unaware of the alleged abduction and killing.

The witness additionally advised the court docket that Okafor travelled to Cote d’Ivoire and later India, the place he was allegedly concerned in prison actions earlier than being deported round 2024.

He stated that after returning to Nigeria, Okafor went into hiding and labored as a bricklayer in Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area, earlier than his eventual arrest by way of an intelligence-driven operation.

The PW1 maintained that every one 4 defendants voluntarily made statements to investigators within the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.

He stated they have been knowledgeable of their proper to stay silent and that something they stated may very well be used in opposition to them in court docket.

According to him, the statements have been obtained in a relaxed, air-conditioned atmosphere and have been admitted in proof after the defence attorneys raised no objections.

Justice Abdulmalik admitted the statements and marked them as Exhibit TWT-5 Series.

The choose adjourned the case till November 16 for the cross-examination of the witness and continuation of the trial-within-trial.

She warned that the defence attorneys risked forfeiting their proper to cross-examine the witness in the event that they failed to seem on the following adjourned date.