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ESN is illegal security organization under Nnamdi Kanu – DSS tells court

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Nnamdi Kanu

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), is an illegal security organization without the backing of the law.

IPOB, a proscribed pro-Biafra separatist movement, had early in December 2020 launched the ESN as a reaction to the perceived targeted killings of Igbos by Fulani herdsmen.

However, testifying under re-examination in the ongoing trial of the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, a prosecution witness and a personnel of the DSS, simply identified as BBB, told the court that the Eastern Security Network is an illegal organization because it was not established by any existing law.

The witness was responding to a question by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awolowo SAN, to differentiate between the ESN and Amotekun in the southwestern region of the country.

The DSS witness told the court that while the ESN was formed by Kanu without any backing of the law, the Amotekun security outfit on the other hand has legal backing from the respective Houses of Assembly of the affected states.

He said Amotekun was set up in the six states of the South-West to complement the efforts of security agencies in curbing insecurity, especially kidnapping, armed robbery as well as herdsmen and farmers contentions in the region.

“My lord, while the ESN is not a registered organization under any law, Amotekun was established following the law passed by the respective Houses of Assembly in the affected States,” the witness clarified.

Meanwhile, during the cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro SAN, the court admitted in evidence, a certified true copy (CTC) of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution of Victims of EndSARs and other Related Abuses and Related Matters.

The report which was tendered from the Bar by the defence team was admitted and marked as exhibit PWUO.

The defence team then proceeded to tender a flash drive accompanied with a certificate of compliance from the Bar.

Both the flash drive and the certificate of compliance were admitted and marked as exhibits PWP and PWI respectively.

A video evidence was played in open court by the defence team showcasing public speeches by the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma.

In the short video clip, the Director General of the DSS, Ajayi spoke on the need for communities to cooperate with security agencies in the fight against insecurity, as security agencies cannot fight criminals alone.

Ajayi who expressed the need for communities to rise up and defend themselves against miscreants and criminals, said they must do that in collaboration with security agencies.

On his part, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma exonerated the ESN from the killings of top politicians in Orlu and blamed same on opposition politicians.

The DSS witness however disagreed with the claim by Uzodinma that the killings in the South-East was targeted at political chieftains of the All Progressives Congress APC.

Contrary to the claim, the DSS operative alleged that the ESN was responsible for killings of the generality of innocent people, including politicians and the downtrodden.

In his speech, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, urged citizens to stand up and defend themselves.

Danjuma while accusing the Armed Forces of aiding and protecting criminals noted, “if you are depending on the Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will die one by one”.

Meanwhile, Justice James Omotosho has warned parties against any form of delay tactics that may be employed during the trial.

The judge stated that having granted an accelerated trial of the case, it would be against the interest of justice to delay the trial while Kanu is languishing in detention.

He therefore ordered the prosecution to close it’s case within six days, subject to any special circumstances.

Accordingly, he adjourned further trial dates to May 28 and 29 and June 6, 16, 18 and 19, respectively for the prosecution to close its case.

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NNPC Slashes Petrol Price

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced petrol prices at its retail stations in Lagos, Abuja, and other states by at least N20 per litre.

 

Current pump prices now range between N895 and N965.

In Lagos, the price dropped from N910 to N890 per litre, while in Abuja, it moved down from N940 to N920 per litre.

Other stations, including Ardova, MRS, and First Royal, are now selling petrol at N890 per litre.

 

Across the country, new pump prices for major states are as follows: Abuja N920, Lagos N890, Abia N912, Adamawa N940, Akwa Ibom N910, Anambra N905, Bauchi N915, Bayelsa N900, Benue N935, Borno N945, Cross River N910, Delta N900, Ebonyi N928, Edo N910, Enugu N912, Gombe N965, Imo N928, Kaduna N935, Kano N935, Kwara N905, Nassarawa N935, Niger N955, Ogun N905, Ondo N905, Osun N895, Oyo N905, Plateau N900, Rivers N895, Sokoto N935, Taraba N950, Yobe N950, and Zamfara N945.

 

Depot prices have also been adjusted following the arrival of fresh petrol shipments.

 

In Lagos, depots such as Wosbab, Chipet, Integrated, and Bovas now sell at N836 per litre, with Aiteo charging N835. Port Harcourt depots including Masters, Liquid Bulk, and Bulk Strategic reduced rates to N853, while Warri depots adjusted prices between N846 and N848.

 

Calabar depots also lowered costs, with rates ranging from N846 to N849 per litre.

 

The reduction comes after Dangote Refinery lowered its gantry price to N840 per litre.

Diesel prices also fell, dropping from N950 to N910 per litre.

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Constituency projects fund should go to security – Ex-Defense spokesman, Enenche

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A former Defense spokesman, Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) has said that the money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead.

General Enenche made this statement in an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a program on Channels Television monitored by Ekwutosblog

He was reacting to the wave of insecurity bedeviling the country where people are being kidnapped, including women and schoolchildren.

 

“I want to suggest that money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead. If you don’t save the constituency, what project will you do there?

“Let’s adopt indigenous homeland security and recruit our youths even someone living with HIV or hepatitis can join the force.

“What I would suggest is that you don’t need special recruitment. You don’t need special screening. Somebody carrying HIV can be part of that force. Somebody carry hepatitis can be part of that force, but they will not even go into the Army. No, they want to live where God has put them,” he said.

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VIDEO: IT’S ALL FALSE , THERE IS NO SUSPECT IN ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT [TIGER BASE] OWERRI THAT HAS STAYED IN CUSTODY FOR MORE THAN 48- HOURS WITHOUT COURT ORDER. — IMO POLICE PPRO RESPONDS TO DETENTION ACCUSATIONS DURING FACILITY INSPECTION BY PRESS MEN.

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

7- DEC- 2025

 

The Imo State Police Command on Friday, December 5, 2025, opened the doors of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit—widely known as Tiger Base—to an independent inspection team made up of journalists, civil society groups, and human rights advocates, following viral allegations of organ trafficking, torture, unlawful detentions, and the existence of a “slaughterhouse” within the facility.

Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, and the Commander of the Unit, ACP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, led the fact-finding delegation through all sections of the premises in Owerri. The visit was designed to ensure transparency and address public concerns generated by several sensational online reports.

Throughout the tour, the delegation inspected operational areas, observed procedures, and engaged directly with officers. In one corner of the compound, the team sighted carved wooden images previously misrepresented on social media as ritual objects or a shrine. Police authorities explained that these carvings—made of wood, iron, and cement—were exhibits recovered from hideouts linked to suspected IPOB/ESN operatives and kidnapping gangs across Imo State. According to ACP Oladimeji, the criminals believed the objects held mystical powers, and the police retained them as evidence for ongoing investigations.

The visitors also interacted with several detainees, including individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping and other violent crimes. Many of them openly admitted to the offences for which they were arrested and confirmed that they were being fed properly while awaiting their scheduled court processes.

Another item inspected was an ash-coloured Highlander Jeep with plate number LSD 413 JJ. The vehicle, stained with blood, belonged to a woman recently shot dead by masked gunmen at Umuekerekpu Ndegwu in Owerri West LGA. A surviving occupant of the vehicle narrated to reporters how their employer was fatally shot in the head, while both he and another passenger sustained gunshot injuries and were currently receiving medical treatment in Owerri.

At the end of the assessment, members of the visiting delegation unanimously stated that none of the frightening claims circulating online—ranging from organ harvesting to the existence of an abattoir—were visible or supported by what they witnessed.

DSP Okoye emphasized that Tiger Base is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force tasked with confronting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terror-related activities, and other serious crimes. He disclosed that the facility is fitted with CCTV cameras linked directly to the office of the Commissioner of Police, enabling round-the-clock monitoring for accountability.

He reiterated that the allegations trending on social media were malicious distortions aimed at misleading the public. The human skulls displayed earlier in 2025, he clarified, were exhibits recovered from criminal hideouts—not evidence of ritual practices, as some had falsely claimed.

ACP Oladimeji further noted that the unit handles only high-profile criminal cases and operates newly commissioned charge rooms and tactical units dedicated to strengthening security across Imo State. The team also observed dozens of seized motorcycles, which the police said were confiscated in compliance with the Imo State Government’s ban on motorcycle operations within the Owerri metropolis under the Shared Prosperity Administration.

The inspection team applauded the Police Command for permitting unrestricted access to Tiger Base and underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation between security institutions, the media, and civic groups to maintain public trust and enhance safety across the state.

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