In a report that appeared yesterday, 12 September 2024, the Department of State Services (DSS) jointly with the Nigerian Army, Air Force and other security agencies have arrested a top commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB); seized 37,000 litres of stolen crude and the killed many Boko Haram fighters in Niger State.
Through DSS coordinated operations leading to the arrest of an IPoB commander in Ebonyi State.
According to the report, the source who released this information declined to release the name of the arrested IPoB commander, saying he was under investigation and would be revealed at a later date.
The operative disclosed that the IPoB commander was arrested based on credible information that he was actively recruiting mercenaries in preparation for a major attack on Ebonyi and other South east states.
The source disclosed that no fewer than 600 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, among other dangerous weapons, were recovered from the notorious IPoB fighter.
The top operative said: “On September 9, 2024, a combined team of the DSS and the military apprehended a high profile commander of the proscribed IPOB. The arrest followed intelligence, which confirmed his active involvement in the coordination of IPOB activities in Ebonyi State.
‘’The arrested commander had recruited several mercenaries in preparation for further attacks in Ebonyi State.’’
Beyond that, the operative said based on credible intelligence, the service also collaborated with the NAF and sister agencies to descend on Boko Haram terrorists and bandits who had jointly attacked Bassa-Kukoki village in Allawa district of Shiroro Local Government of Niger State on Wednesday.
The source said while many of the terrorists and bandits were killed in the operation, three members of the community were killed by fleeing bandits, adding that no personnel of the security agency was killed during the operation.
The disclosure came in the wake of another operation by operatives Delta State command of the DSS which led to the interception of a wooden barge containing about 37,000 barrels of crude oil.
According to the top source, five suspects connected to the incident were also arrested during the operation and are being investigated and profiled for necessary prosecution.
The source, who did not want to be named, promised that the DSS was set to tackle increasing threats to national security, in collaboration with sister agencies, and would not allow terrorists and other mercenaries to cause mayhem in the country.
