The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated terrorism charges against seven people alleged to be part of a coordinated network operating in various regions of the country.
In a statement issued by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, it was disclosed that the suspects were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 19 in cases FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, 633/2025, and 634/2025.
Dozie noted that the individuals are accused of engaging in activities such as financial support, logistics, and armed operations linked to separatist organisations. One of them, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, is said to have managed a bureau de change that the DSS claims was involved in financial dealings currently under scrutiny.
According to the DSS, “The suspects were established to be involved in coordinating operations, and some were accused of arms dealing and other roles within the network.”
The agency also highlighted progress in another long-standing terrorism prosecution. Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, who had been facing charges connected to attacks on police facilities in 2012, was found guilty and handed multiple prison sentences by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, which began in 2017, ended with a 15-year sentence on one charge and 20 years each on three additional charges, all to run at the same time.
The DSS added that proceedings involving other internationally sought suspects, such as Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, are set to resume on January 15, 2026. The prosecution of Khalid al-Barnawi, linked to the 2011 UN building bombing, is also still underway.
Separate court actions are progressing for five defendants tied to the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo. Furthermore, ten suspects associated with recent incidents in Benue and Plateau states are also being prosecuted.
The DSS stated that under Director-General Adeola Ajayi, who took office in August 2024, all existing case files are being reassessed and investigations reinforced with forensic-driven methods to support ongoing legal actions.
