The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended a suspect in connection with online threats directed at Peter Obi, following a recent attack on the former presidential candidate in Benin, Edo State.
The incident in question occurred last Tuesday when Obi, alongside chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was reportedly attacked at the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun, a prominent party chieftain.
During the fracas, Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2024 Edo governorship election, stated that his cousin was assaulted and hit on the head with a bottle.
Shortly after the physical attack, a man identified as Udeme Stephen allegedly claimed responsibility for the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) account, @stevetom788, and threatened further violence against Obi, particularly regarding an upcoming trip to Rivers State.
“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State but he mistook our resolves to obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he survived this one,” Stephen wrote in his post.
He further added: “I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State. No wahala. 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 one.”
In response to the threats, DSS operatives immediately launched a covert investigation, utilizing forensic tools to track the individual behind the account.
According to a security source, the 26-year-old suspect was traced to Rivers State, where he is employed as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the security source disclosed.
“You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage and 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 confirmed that operatives were swiftly deployed, leading to the successful capture of the suspect, who is currently in custody and is expected to be charged in court soon.
