The Department of State Services has arrested a 26-year-old man alleged to be behind threats and a claimed attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in Benin, Edo State.
Obi, alongside a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress, reportedly escaped an attack on February 24 when armed men fired multiple gunshots at a party meeting in the Edo State capital.
Shortly after the incident, a man identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to his X account, @stevetom788, claiming responsibility for the attack and issuing further threats against Obi. In the posts, he suggested that the former presidential candidate was fortunate to have survived the Benin incident and warned of additional attacks, including in Rivers State.
According to a senior security source, operatives of the Department of State Services immediately launched a covert investigation following the online threats. The agency reportedly deployed forensic analysis to trace the suspect, leading to his arrest.
The suspect, identified as Udeme Monday Stephen, is said to be a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, located in the Umuehere Community of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
A security source familiar with the operation indicated that forensic findings linked the suspect to the threatening posts and alleged plot. The source emphasised that the DSS, as a counter-espionage and VIP protection agency, acted on credible intelligence and moved swiftly to apprehend the suspect.
The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to be formally charged in court following the conclusion of investigations.
