The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended Udeme Sunday Stephen, a 26-year-old man believed to be connected to the attack on the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin, the capital of Edo State.
The incident occurred last Tuesday at the residence of ADC chieftain John Odigie-Oyegun, shortly after Obi and party officials returned from the ADC secretariat, where they formally welcomed the 2023 LP governorship candidate for Edo, Olumide Akpata, into the party, according to Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
Following the attack, Stephen reportedly claimed responsibility on his X account, @stevetom788, and issued threats against Obi.
“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one,” he wrote.
He added a chilling warning about future attacks: “I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die.”
A DSS source confirmed that operatives immediately launched a covert investigation, using forensic analysis to trace and apprehend the suspect. The source revealed that Stephen is a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, located in Umuehere Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
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“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect. You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion,” the source said.
“They swiftly deployed operatives, and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody. The suspect would soon be charged in court.”