A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that approximately 200 security personnel lost their lives in the South East as a result of attacks linked to IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The anonymous witness, presented by the Department of State Services (DSS), testified on Wednesday under protection.
According to the witness, one Uzoma Benjamin, also known by the alias Onye Army, allegedly detailed how the group carried out orders from Kanu directing them to kill security agents.
“They allegedly received directives from Kanu to kill security agents,” the witness stated while being led in testimony by the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
The witness also revealed that, according to intelligence reports, the late ESN commander, Ikonso, was to be buried with an astonishing number of human remains.
“They allegedly received directives from Kanu to… ensure that a deceased member of the group, Ikonso, was buried with 2000 human heads,” the DSS official said.
However, the investigation reportedly found that the group was only able to gather 30 human heads for the burial.
“Of the 2000 human heads sought to bury Ikonso, only 30 were eventually sourced,” the witness disclosed.
Additionally, the witness testified about the assassination of a political figure.
He recounted the circumstances surrounding the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who was shot dead in Owerri, Imo State, on May 30, 2021.
Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, Justice James Omotosho discharged the witness.
The judge then adjourned the case until Thursday for the prosecution to present its fifth witness.
