The State Security Service has filed terrorism charges against seven people it identifies as commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, saying they received funding and other support from Finland-based separatist figure Simon Ekpa.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 20, the SSS said the charges were filed a day earlier, stressing that the suspects “were accused of receiving funds and other material support from Simon Ekpa and other foreign-based members of IPOB.” Ekpa, who leads a faction calling for an independent Biafra made up of states in the south-east and south-south, is currently in prison in Finland after being convicted of promoting terrorism in Nigeria.
A central figure in the case is Ibrahim Ali Larabo, who the SSS describes as an illegal immigrant from Niger operating an unlicensed bureau de change. According to the agency, he handled large sums of money for the Ekpa-led faction, receiving and disbursing funds used to support IPOB activities in the southeast. The statement was signed by Favour Dozie, deputy director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications.
The agency released the full statement as follows:
“DSS ARRAIGNS 7 IPOB COMMANDERS, GIVES UPDATE ON OTHER TERRORISM TRIALS
The Department of State Services has filed terrorism charges against seven IPOB key commanders linked to Simon Ekpa before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the three separate cases — FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025 — filed on 19 November, the suspects were accused of receiving funds and other material support from Simon Ekpa and foreign-based IPOB members.
A key suspect, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, accused of terrorism financing, is an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Niger operating a bureau de change without a licence. He provided financial services for the Ekpa-led proscribed group, receiving and disbursing large sums of money for IPOB terrorism activities in the southeast.
The suspects were identified as IPOB commanders, arms dealers, couriers, ESN fighters and foot soldiers funded and directed by Ekpa, who has been convicted of terror-related charges and sentenced to six years in Finland.
The DSS also detailed the conviction of Ismaila (aka Mai Tangaran), described as the terrorist who coordinated the 2012 attacks on the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, among other critical targets. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced him under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 — 15 years on count one, and 20 years each on counts two, three and four, to run concurrently.
The agency further noted ongoing cases against internationally wanted suspects Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (aka Abu Baara), whose trial is scheduled to resume on 15 January 2026.
It confirmed that the prosecution of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing, is continuing alongside four co-defendants.
Five other suspects are currently facing a nine-count charge over their alleged involvement in the 5 June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
Ten individuals arrested over attacks in Benue and Plateau states are also being prosecuted in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to apprehend those responsible.
The agency added that it will also arraign Abdulazeez Obadaki (aka Bomboy), said to be an internationally known ISWAP figure who confessed to orchestrating attacks on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and Deeper Life Church, Okene, along with Musa Abubakar, an alleged manufacturer and supplier of arms arrested in Plateau State.
DSS Director General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, who assumed office in August 2024, ordered a full review of inherited cases and directed that forensic investigations be conducted to support diligent prosecution.
Favour Dozie
Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
Department of State Services
20 November 2025″
