A Department of State Services (DSS) operative testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was treated with “presidential” care while in custody, contradicting his claims of coercion.

At the resumed session of his alleged terrorism trial, the DSS operative, identified as Mr CCC, the third prosecution witness, dismissed accusations that threats of solitary confinement were used to force Kanu into making statements during interrogation sessions in 2015.

“Mr CCC stated that Kanu was given presidential treatment,” the report noted, “and expressed shock at the allegations of using any form of force to get him to make certain statements including calling Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari unprintable names, and also alleging that Senator Rochas Okorocha ‘Islamised’ his people.”

Kanu had alleged that a DSS operative, referred to as Mr Brown, threatened him with solitary confinement in a “dungeon” if he refused to cooperate.

However, the DSS witness disputed this, stating:

“The names of the officers who took part in the interview are James, Ibrahim, and Collins, with no Mr Brown among them.”

The court also admitted into evidence three videos during the hearing. One of the videos reportedly shows Kanu inspecting a radio transmitter that was allegedly smuggled into the country.

These videos were presented to support the prosecution’s claim that Kanu made his statements voluntarily.

The statements in question were made at the DSS headquarters on October 23, 24, and November 4, 2015, and also include video recordings of oral statements from October 21 and 23, 2015.

Kanu is said to have made some of these statements during an interview with Sahara Reporters, a U.S.-based online media outlet.

“These are statements he allegedly made when he granted an interview with a US-based online medium known as Sahara Reporters. It was during the same interview that, according to the witness, Kanu used the term ‘Zoo’ to refer to Nigeria.”

In the courtroom, Justice James Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to assess whether the defendant’s statements were made under duress or voluntarily.

“It is law that whenever an issue of involuntariness is raised, the Evidence Act and the law requires that an order for trial within trial be made to determine whether a statement was taken under duress or otherwise,” Justice Omotosho said.

“Establishing duress will therefore make the statement in contention inadmissible.”

Justice Omotosho further clarified that the court will also decide whether the absence of Kanu’s legal team at certain points in the proceedings impacts the credibility of his claims.

In one of the video clips played in court, the IPOB leader allegedly confirmed his role in the separatist movement.

“In the three footage played in court by the prosecution to prove that Nnamdi Kanu made his statements voluntarily, the Biafra nation agitator admitted to being the founder and director of Radio Biafra.”

“In one of the footage, Kanu claimed that the Biafra cause enjoyed funding across the globe from all those who believe in the ideals of the secessionist agenda.”

“He claimed the group has representatives in over 80 countries.”

During the trial-within-trial, Kanu also took the witness stand to give his version of events. He told the court he had been physically assaulted during his arrest.

“The defendant claimed, in his testimony, that he was struck by a DSS operative when he was picked up in Lagos in 2015. But the same operative later apologised on their way to the airport to Abuja.”

Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Thursday, May 29, 2025, for continuation of the trial and a ruling on the admissibility of the contested statements.

On Friday, Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, came to a standstill as residents observed a sit-at-home order in commemoration of Biafra Day, a solemn occasion to honour those who died in the Biafran conflict.

The normally vibrant city took on a quiet, somber tone, with its streets completely deserted and commercial activity grinding to a halt.

The action followed a directive by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who annually call for a stay-at-home protest to mark the day.

Shops, markets, and motor parks across the city were shut.

Banks remained closed, forcing residents to rely on whatever cash they had on hand.

Both public and private schools were also shut down, leaving classrooms empty for the day.

Despite the lockdown, the atmosphere remained calm.

There were no reports of clashes or confrontations between security operatives and members of the public, and no uniformed personnel were visibly patrolling the streets.

In some neighborhoods, a few youths made use of the open roads to play football, while others gathered in front of their homes, quietly discussing current affairs and recent national developments.

Biafra Day continues to hold deep emotional and political significance in southeastern Nigeria, especially in cities like Umuahia where memories of the civil war remain etched in the collective consciousness.

Friday’s peaceful observance reflected the continued resonance of that history in the state.

Murja Ibrahim Kunya, a social media influencer popularly known on TikTok, has been sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Kano for abusing the Nigerian currency.

The conviction was secured on Wednesday by the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Simone Amobeda.

The EFCC confirmed the sentencing in an official statement released by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Kunya was arrested after she was seen spraying Naira notes for entertainment purposes while staying at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.

Her actions were deemed to have violated the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act that prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the Naira.

“She was granted an administrative bail by the Commission pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano.”

“However, when it was time for her court appearance, she absconded in her bid to evade the legal processes,” the EFCC stated.

Following a period of surveillance, EFCC operatives re-arrested Kunya on Sunday, March 16, 2025, and she was arraigned on May 20, 2025, where she pleaded guilty to the amended one-count charge.

The charge read:

“You Murja Ibrahim Kunya on the 28th of December, 2023 at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court whilst dancing in one of the rooms at Tahir Guest Palace tampered with Naira notes issued by Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying and matching on same in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

During proceedings, Prosecution Counsel Musa Isah reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict her in accordance with the law.

In his judgment, Justice Amobeda sentenced the influencer to six months in prison, offering her an option of a ₦50,000 fine.

Beyond the jail term, the court added a unique twist to the ruling aimed at rehabilitation.

Recognizing her significant social media following, the judge also appointed Kunya as an EFCC and CBN Ambassador for online advocacy against Naira abuse.

“The court order requires Kunya “to utilize her social media reach to educate her followers on the importance of respecting the Nigerian currency and the legal consequences of its abuse or mutilation.”

Amnesty International has revealed that over 10,217 Nigerians have been killed in attacks by armed groups since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago.

The human rights organization stated that Benue State recorded the highest number of deaths with 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau State with at least 2,630.

According to the report, the violence has escalated despite President Tinubu’s promise to improve national security.

Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said, “Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security.”

“Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country.”

Sanusi emphasized the need for urgent action in light of the resurgence of threats from Boko Haram and other armed groups.

He noted that “recent escalations by Boko Haram and other armed groups indicate the current security measures are ineffective.”

During the period under review, Amnesty reported the rise of new armed groups such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states and Mamuda in Kwara state.

Hundreds of communities across Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau, and Zamfara have suffered devastating attacks.

In Zamfara alone, 638 villages were destroyed, while 725 villages remain under bandit control across 13 local government areas.

The report further highlighted that over 273 people were killed and 467 abducted in Zamfara within the last two years.

Maru local government area witnessed severe attacks, including one on April 24, 2025, where over 20 miners were killed at Gobirawar Chali. In Kebbi State, the Lakurawa group was linked to 70 deaths in 22 attacks.

Benue and Plateau states, in particular, suffered alarming levels of violence. In Bokkos, Plateau State, a deadly coordinated attack on April 3, 2025, resulted in the deaths of entire families.

In Benue, communities were not only attacked but also stripped of critical infrastructure.

“Attackers have destroyed boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship in addition to killing residents,” Amnesty stated.

The humanitarian toll is staggering. All 23 local government areas in Benue State have faced assaults, displacing approximately 450,000 people.

In Plateau, about 65,000 people have been displaced in 38 attacks in just two years. Many victims have suffered repeated violence, including assaults on IDP camps.

“The humanitarian situation is worsening as most affected are farmers who have lost access to their land, threatening food security,” Amnesty noted.

Many displaced individuals in Plateau and Katsina now rely on begging to survive. In Zamfara’s Dangulbi district, farmers are unable to sell their sweet potato harvests due to insecurity.

“These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood,” Sanusi said.

In Sokoto’s Isa local government area, four villages were overrun by gunmen between May 9 and 11, displacing residents and exacerbating hunger.

The report also described how armed groups are now demanding levies via phone threats in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina, with non-compliance punishable by death.

Frustration over the government’s perceived inaction is widespread. A resident from Maru, Zamfara said, “The only relationship between us and the government is that they issue media statements after we are attacked and killed.”

“That is all they do. When the next attack comes, they will issue another empty statement while bandits escalate their atrocities. We are helpless.”

Amnesty International reminded the Nigerian government of its obligations under international law to protect lives and ensure justice for victims.

“Authorities must move swiftly to match their words with serious and concrete action to guarantee the human rights of everyone in Nigeria if they are to be taken seriously on their oft-expressed commitment to stop the killings, violence, abductions and other human rights crimes in several parts of the country,” said Sanusi.

He warned that unchecked impunity is worsening insecurity and urged immediate action to stop the violence. “Time is running out,” he stressed.

Amnesty International has been documenting Nigeria’s security crisis since 2016 and continues to call for accountability and protection for vulnerable rural communities.