IPOB Lawyer Narrates How His PA Was Murdered; Three Relatives Still In DSS Custody

• Urges New DSS Boss To Clean Up Bichi’s Mess

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead lawyer for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has urged the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, to clean up the mess left by his predecessor, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

He also suggested that he profile those wrongfully arrested and still detained illegally and order their immediate and unconditional release.

Ejiofor claimed that a viral video showing DSS personnel celebrating the appointment of a new DG confirmed Bichi’s status as a tyrant and failure.

In an Abuja statement, the lawyer stated that under Bichi’s leadership, the DSS operated as a separate entity from those established, defined, and recognised by Nigerian law.

He stated, “Under Bichi’s watch, my Personal Assistant, Samuel Okoro, was brutally murdered during a bloody invasion of my ancestral home, and three of my wards, namely Felix Okonkwo, Ikenna Chibuike, and Okafor Lawrence Ugochukwu, were abducted in the dead of the night by those specifically assigned to carry out the hatchet assignment; they were briefly detained at the State Security Service Headquarters in Abuja, and despite existing court orders, were secretly transferred

“I have been observing the overwhelming jubilation seen in this video among the personnel of the State Security Service following the announcement of the new Director General and the sudden removal of the former DG, Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi, who held sway over the affairs of the Service since his appointment by the Buhari administration on September 14, 2018, until his unceremonious resignation on August 26, 2024.

“The loud celebration of this despot’s departure marks the unceremonious end of an infamous tenure; an era marked by the most egregious violations of citizens’ civil rights, disregard for constitutional orders, and blatant contempt for the rule of law.

“During his unpopular tenure, the Igbo people were specifically targeted, vilified, and subjected to enforced disappearances. Innocent people were brutally hunted, and many remain missing to this day.

“Today, thousands of Igbo men and women, young and old, are illegally detained in SSS custody under Bichi’s command and denied the right to a trial in any court of law.

“The welfare of the Service personnel was grossly undermined during this despotic tenure, so it is no surprise that wild celebrations greeted his unceremonious departure.

“While I do not condone or support those who commit heinous crimes against humanity under any pretence, I have always believed that such criminals should be carefully identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Based on the current DG’s reputable track record, he appears to be a true democrat—tested, trusted, and deserving of support and encouragement from all quarters. Although it will take significant political will and courage to clean up the mess left by his predecessor, the unprecedented jubilation among personnel suggests that he will succeed, and overwhelmingly so.

“As a member of the human rights community, I believe Mr Adeola Ajayi deserves the full cooperation, respect, and support he requires to succeed, especially in these difficult times when insecurity pervades all aspects of the Nigerian state.

“I respectfully request that the incoming DG use his good offices to profile those who have been wrongfully arrested and are still detained illegally, and to order their immediate and unconditional release.” We hope that the current DG will succeed and exceed all expectations.”