The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the recent attack on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in Benin City.
Obi, alongside former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Oyegun, and other leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly escaped death on February 24 when gunmen opened fire during a political meeting in Edo State.
Following the incident, a man identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack via his X handle, @stevetom788, where he also issued further threats against Obi. In his posts, he suggested that Obi was fortunate to have survived the Benin incident and warned that he would not be as lucky in future appearances, including a planned visit to Rivers State.
A counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the suspect’s arrest in a post on his official X account on Monday.
According to the report, a senior security source revealed that DSS operatives immediately initiated a covert investigation after the online threats surfaced. Using forensic tools, the agency reportedly traced and apprehended the suspect.
The source identified Stephen as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, within the Umuehere Community of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State.
The security source maintained that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigation linked the suspect to the threats. Emphasising the DSS’s mandate in counter-espionage, VIP protection, and safeguarding national assets, the source noted that the agency acts on credible intelligence regardless of ethnic or religious considerations.
The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to be charged to court soon.
