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The Department of State Services has arrested a 26-year-old man, Udeme Stephen, for allegedly claiming responsibility for the recent attack on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Stephen was apprehended following a threat he posted on his X account, @stevetom788, shortly after armed men fired gunshots at the African Democratic Congress secretariat and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in Benin, Edo State.
Present at the event were Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata and some ADC leaders.
In his post, Stephen claimed responsibility for the incident and issued further threats against Obi.
He wrote that Obi was fortunate to have survived the Benin attack and warned that he would not be “that lucky next time,” alleging that his associates would target the former presidential candidate during a planned visit to Rivers State.
“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,” Udeme posted.
Speaking on Monday, a top security source disclosed that the DSS immediately launched a covert investigation after the threat was issued.
The source added that operatives deployed forensic analysis to track the suspect.
He identified Stephen as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, located in the Umuehere Community of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“No sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began a covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.
“The suspect is 26 years 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.
“Stephen is currently in custody and will soon be charged in court,” the statement said.
