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The Department of State Services, on Thursday, accused the detained leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, of masterminding a string of violent attacks across the country, including the burning of a Lagos court and the beheading of police officers.
Testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the second prosecution witness, codenamed BBB, alleged that Kanu’s inflammatory broadcasts on the unlicensed Radio Biafra directly incited violence, including the killing of security personnel and the destruction of public property.
“He ordered the burning of a Lagos High Court and government buses. He called for the beheading of police and army officers,” the DSS operative told the court during examination led by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
BBB said his investigation revealed that Kanu personally founded both IPOB and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network, and used Radio Biafra to call for violence “by any means necessary,” including war, in pursuit of Biafra’s secession.
The witness testified that Kanu admitted to being the voice in several broadcasts used as evidence by prosecutors — audio recordings in which he allegedly incited attacks and enforced sit-at-home orders.
The DSS further linked the IPOB leader to the brutal murder of several individuals, including a police officer who was allegedly beheaded, and the May 2022 killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
The DSS witness also blamed Kanu’s orders for the murder and beheading of an army couple, Gloria Matthew and Linus Musa, and the assassination of a retired judge.
“Kanu told his followers to deal with anyone who violated his sit-at-home order,” BBB told the court, adding that eyewitnesses heard Gulak’s killers invoke Kanu’s name before opening fire.
Video evidence allegedly showing attacks on police stations and the decapitation of officers was presented to the court, but was challenged by the defence.
Under cross-examination, Kanu denied ordering any killings, insisting IPOB is a peaceful separatist movement seeking self-determination through a referendum.
He admitted to giving sit-at-home directives but likened his threats to parental reprimands, saying: “It’s like when you tell your child ‘I will kill you’ — you don’t really mean it.”
Kanu also explained that the ESN was established to protect southeastern communities from attacks by armed herdsmen, citing deadly incidents in Nimbo, Uzo Uwani, and other areas.
The IPOB leader maintained that he was on bail in 2017 and pursuing a political solution when soldiers invaded his residence, killing 28 people.
“Whoever ordered that attack is the real enemy,” he said, mentioning that he had been in talks with South-East leaders, including the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze.
Defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) opposed the admissibility of the video evidence and sought additional time to consult.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned further hearings to May 14, 21, and 22.
-Punch
