A Department of State Services (DSS) official told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that the Eastern Security Network (ESN), created by Nnamdi Kanu of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), operates illegally, unlike Amotekun, which is backed by laws enacted by South West state assemblies.
Testifying as the second prosecution witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu, the DSS officer made the distinction between the two groups during a re-examination by the lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
“ESN and Amotekun are not the same. I know that states in the South West passed laws to legalise Amotekun. But ESN is not registered. ESN is illegal. Amotekun is recognised by law,” the DSS official stated.
He acknowledged that DSS Director General Tosin Ajayi had, in the past, spoken about community policing, but clarified that it must be done “under the guidance and approval of security agencies” to prevent misuse.
Earlier, defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) presented three video clips contained on a flash drive, all of which were admitted as evidence and played in open court.
One of the videos featured the DSS boss addressing a crowd, promoting the idea of community-led protection efforts against bandits, while also emphasizing oversight.
“The practical approach to mobilising people is to get everyone involved. It is impossible for the security agencies to deploy to every part of the country,” the DG said in the clip.
“What we need to do is to make communities set up a first line of defence. We have to allow some level of armament for the communities to rise and defend themselves first, but under the guidance and approval of security agencies. The time to start it is now.”
When asked by Erokoro if the DSS chief was encouraging self-defence among communities, the witness reiterated that the call was made “under the guidance and approval” of established security organs.
Another video clip showed former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, accusing the military of collaborating with criminal groups:
“They collude with the armed bandits that kill people, that kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movements. They cover them. If you are depending on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die one by one,” Danjuma said.
When asked to identify the speaker, the witness confirmed it was Danjuma but declined to comment further:
“You can call him and ask for the interpretation of what he meant.”
The third video featured Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who blamed the violence in the state on opposition politicians.
Erokoro asked if this contradicted the DSS claim that IPOB members were responsible for killings in Orlu, Imo State.
The witness responded:
“Our investigation revealed those who were killed by suspected IPOB members, and we mentioned their names. The governor did not mention any names of people he said were killed.”
He also testified that Kanu remained an IPOB member even after the group was proscribed by court order.
When asked about the EndSARS protest, the witness acknowledged the public’s demand for the disbandment of SARS and the role of various inquiry panels that followed.
Erokoro presented the Lagos State commission’s report on EndSARS, which the court accepted into evidence.
The witness confirmed that the report neither implicated IPOB nor labeled the protests as terrorism.
Before adjourning, Justice James Omotosho granted the prosecution six days to call its remaining witnesses and wrap up its case.
The defence will have nine days. The trial is scheduled to resume on May 28 and 29, June 6, 16, 18, and 19.
