DSS Denies Facilitating IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s Escape from Nigeria

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied report insinuating that some of its personnel aided the self-acclaimed leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to escape from Nigeria, when operatives of security agencies, including the army invaded his family home in Umuahia, Abia State last year.

The whereabouts of Kanu had remained a mystery since the September 14, 2017 invasion of his family home, forcing his lawyer and sureties who guaranteed his bail to trade blame over his whereabouts even as some claimed he must have been killed during the attack.

However, following the sudden reappearance of Kanu in Israel, questions have been raised as to how he was able to escape from Nigeria, with report fingering some operatives of the DSS.

But reacting through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the agency refuted the report, describing it as fake, malicious and intended to malign the DSS.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the malicious report suggesting that five of its personnel allegedly aided Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to escape his abode in Umuahia, Abia State on September 14, 2017.

“The Service wishes to state that the news is fake, mischievous and defamatory. It is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the originators. The public should, by now, have noted the antics of Kanu, IPOB and their collaborators whose stock in trade is to peddle unfounded rumours, and gossips aimed at subverting the government, its key agencies and officials.

“The DSS is aware that some unscrupulous elements are keen on exploiting the situation to constitute a nuisance to the freedoms of all persons as guaranteed in the Constitution and as well disrupt the forthcoming general elections. The DSS will not idly standby and watch these undesirable elements achieve their aims”, the statement read.

The agency however, reassured residents of their safety and its commitment to provide the enabling environment for peace and stability in the country.