DSS arrests suspect over Edo attack on Peter Obi, others
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man, Udeme Monday Stephen, suspected of being behind the recent attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man, Udeme Monday Stephen, suspected of being behind the recent attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benin, the Edo State capital, a security source disclosed to The Nation on Monday.
Obi, a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), on February 24, reportedly escaped death by the whiskers when armed men fired several gunshots at them at their party meeting in Benin.
Shortly after the attack, one Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788. He claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened further attacks on Obi.
Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn't be that lucky next time.
“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…
"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," posted Udeme.
The source disclosed that, no sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.
The source disclosed that the suspect is 26 year old called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.
"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.
"They swiftly deployed operatives and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody," the source said.
The source added that the suspect would soon be charged to court.
