The Department of State Services (DSS) has distanced itself from the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Kenya.
This emerged during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, an intelligence officer from the DSS, who stated that the agency’s operations are limited to Nigeria’s territorial borders and lacks the powers to effect arrest beyond its borders.
The witness, code-named BBB, clarified that the DSS is under the office of the National Security Adviser and not influenced by politicians or ministers.
When asked about the mode of intelligence gathering, the witness noted that the sources are varied, including human and social media.
The DSS witness also testified that Kanu, through his Radio Biafra broadcasts, incited violence, including during the EndSARS protests in 2020, and expressed readiness to make Biafra possible by all means, including war.
The witness added that Kanu’s comments led to violent incidents, including the burning of a police station and a court.
The trial judge warned against live streaming of court proceedings and negative use of social media, cautioning a member of the defense team, Aloy Ejimakor, against posting misleading information online.
The case was adjourned till May 22 for the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
