Details have emerged about how the Department of State Services, DSS, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and other security agencies, successfully arrested a top commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seized 37,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and eliminated several Boko Haram fighters in Niger State.
A reliable security source informed Vanguard in Abuja that the DSS, alongside other security forces, conducted the operation that led to the arrest of the notorious IPOB commander in Ebonyi State. The source, however, withheld the commander’s name, citing an ongoing investigation, with further details to be revealed later.
According to the source, the arrest was based on credible intelligence indicating that the IPOB commander was recruiting mercenaries for a planned major attack on Ebonyi and other southeastern states. Additionally, the operatives recovered over 600 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition and other dangerous weapons from the arrested individual.
According to Vanguard, 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.’’
In addition, the operative revealed that, based on credible intelligence, the DSS worked in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies to launch an attack on Boko Haram terrorists and bandits who had jointly assaulted Bassa-Kukoki village in the Allawa district of Shiroro Local Government, Niger State, on Wednesday.
The source confirmed that while many of the terrorists and bandits were neutralized in the operation, three community members lost their lives to fleeing bandits. Fortunately, no security personnel were harmed during the operation.
This disclosure follows another successful mission by the Delta State command of the DSS, which intercepted a wooden barge carrying approximately 37,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
According to the top source, five suspects were arrested in connection with the crude oil theft and are currently under investigation, with prosecution to follow.
The operative emphasized that the DSS, in partnership with other security agencies, remains committed to addressing rising threats to national security and will not allow terrorists and other criminal groups to destabilize the country.