(DDM) – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of attempting to assassinate its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, inside the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the group made the grave allegation on Saturday, October 25, 2025, following what it described as a violent assault carried out by a newly assigned DSS operative against Kanu inside his detention cell.
According to a statement shared on X by Kanu’s wife, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, the alleged incident occurred on Friday and involved a DSS officer who reportedly kicked and attacked the IPOB leader before being restrained by his colleagues.
The statement read in part: “Information reaching IPOB leadership this night is that one of the new DSS agents assigned to MNK attacked him in the DSS headquarters with the intention to kill Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The situation led other DSS officers to physically drag their fellow officer out of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s cell as he was seen kicking him.”
IPOB claimed that the assault was not an isolated act but part of a broader plot to eliminate their leader “under the pretext of a misunderstanding with a DSS officer.” The group said the incident confirmed its longstanding fears that Kanu’s life remains in grave danger while in government custody.
The pro-Biafra movement condemned the alleged attack and warned that it would not tolerate any further harm against its leader.
It also demanded that the Nigerian secret police guarantee Kanu’s safety and bring the erring officer to justice.
“The action of this DSS officer is unacceptable,” IPOB said. “The DSS must make sure that nothing happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their custody — unless they’re ready for another confrontation with IPOB worldwide.”
DDM recalls that this is not the first time IPOB has accused the DSS of maltreating or endangering Kanu while in detention. Since his re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in June 2021, Kanu has been held at the DSS facility in Abuja under terrorism-related charges, a development that has deepened tensions between the group and the federal government.
Kanu’s legal team has repeatedly complained about harsh detention conditions, denial of medical access, and violation of court orders granting him bail.
The DSS, however, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Kanu is being treated with “utmost respect and in accordance with the law.”
Security analysts told DDM that the latest allegation could worsen mistrust between the federal government and the South-East region, especially as calls for Kanu’s release continue to dominate political and human rights debates.
Observers fear that renewed hostility between IPOB supporters and the security agencies could trigger another wave of unrest across the South-East, where tensions have remained high due to recurring clashes and the controversial “sit-at-home” orders linked to Kanu’s detention.
Meanwhile, there has been no official response from the DSS regarding the alleged attack.
Attempts by DDM to reach the agency’s spokesperson on Saturday were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), have in the past urged the Nigerian government to ensure Kanu’s safety and guarantee his right to fair trial, warning that any harm to him could destabilize national peace.
As of press time, Kanu’s supporters continue to mobilize online, demanding transparency and accountability from the DSS while urging international observers to intervene.
DDM will continue to monitor this developing story as tensions rise over the fate of the detained IPOB leader.