A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), were responsible for the deaths of between 170 and 200 security personnel in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The witness, who is the fourth to testify in the ongoing terrorism trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, claimed that Kanu issued direct instructions to his followers—including orders to kill security operatives and attack government facilities.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the DSS official testified that an ESN member, Uzuoma Benjamin—also known as “Onye Army”—revealed during interrogation that Kanu ordered targeted killings. He further alleged that a deceased ESN commander, identified as Ikonso, was to be buried with “2,000 human heads,” although only 30 were reportedly sourced in the end.
The witness also detailed the events surrounding the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Gulak was shot dead on May 30, 2021, in Owerri, Imo State—the same day a sit-at-home order was reportedly issued by Kanu via a broadcast.
According to the witness, Gulak was in a hired vehicle en route to the airport when his car was stopped at a checkpoint. “The Divisional Police Officer informed us that the attackers questioned each of the three passengers to identify their ethnic group,” he told the court. “Gulak was unable to speak Igbo, and when the assailants saw a Muslim prayer mark on his forehead, they identified him as a non-Igbo and shot him.”
The DSS later recovered Gulak’s body using his official vehicle, the witness added.
The court also heard that Kanu allegedly smuggled a radio transmitter into Nigeria and had it installed in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra State. According to the DSS official, the transmitter—manufactured in Germany and intended for FM broadcast—was recovered in 2015. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), after being invited to inspect the equipment, confirmed that it required licensing, which neither Kanu nor Radio Biafra had obtained.
“There was no application from the defendant,” the witness said. “He brought the transmitter into the country illegally.”
He added that Kanu later visited the installation site—located in the home of one Benjamin Madubugu—where he recorded a video to reassure IPOB members who had contributed funds for the purchase of the device.
The trial continues.
