DSS official links Nnamdi Kanu to #EndSARS protest, says 233 security operatives killed at IPOB leader’s incitement

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) says 233 security operatives were killed during the #EndSARS protest over the incitement by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The DSS officer, who appeared as the Federal Government’s fifth prosecution witness, said this while being led in evidence by FG’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The DSS official identified as EEE for security reasons also told the court that about 164 police stations and nine Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices across Nigeria were destroyed due to Kanu’s inciting remarks.

The witness said he knew Kanu through the mass media and had not met him personally.

While giving the breakdown through the report tendered by Awomolo and admitted in evidence as exhibit, the DSS official said 186 police officers, 37 military officers, and 10 DSS operatives were killed during the mayhem in the South-East and other parts of the country.

He said he was instructed to lead a team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and DSS, including photographers and other investigators, to gather records of the criminality that occured between 2020 and 2021 during the #EndSARS movement.

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He said: “The assignment included taking records from heads of security agencies in the various states that we visited and update death certificates of security agents that died and report of damage to properties during the EndSARS protest

“There are photographs of public properties destroyed, the death certificates of officers that died and their pictures.”

Awomolo then sought the permission of the court for the report assessment on the damage recorded, death reports, and certificates of death of security officers, to tender them as evidence.

Kanu’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), reserved their objection which they planned to raise during the adoption of their written address.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, admitted them in evidence and marked them as exhibits.

After the cross examination, Awomolo announced that the prosecution would be closing its case.

After the announcement, the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, informed the court that they would be opting for a no-case submission.

The judge then gave the defence 14 days to file and serve the prosecution with the application and also gave another 14 days to the prosecution to respond to the no-case submission, and two days for the defence to respond on points of law.

Justice Omotosho adjourned until July 18, 2025, for adoption.

The Star