DSS arrests suspect over alleged assassination attempt on Peter Obi

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a 26-year-old man over his alleged involvement in a recent assassination attempt on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in Benin City, Edo State.

Obi, alongside a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), narrowly escaped harm on February 24 when armed men reportedly opened fire during a party meeting in Benin.

Shortly after the incident, a man identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to his X handle, @stevetom788, claiming responsibility for the attack and issuing further threats against Obi.

In the viral post, he suggested that the former Anambra governor was fortunate to have survived the Benin attack and warned of possible future attempts.

Security sources disclosed that immediately after the online threat surfaced, DSS operatives commenced covert investigations, deploying digital forensic tools to track the suspect.

According to the source, Stephen, who is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in Eliozu, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, was subsequently apprehended and is currently in custody.

The source emphasised that the agency acted on credible intelligence, noting that the DSS remains committed to counter-espionage and VIP protection duties, regardless of political, ethnic or religious considerations.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The development comes amid heightened political tension in parts of the country, with security agencies intensifying surveillance to prevent further threats against public office holders and political actors.

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