The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken into custody a 26-year-old teacher, Udeme Stephen, over alleged threats connected to the February 24 gunfire incident that followed a political engagement attended by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benin City, Edo State.
Security sources said the arrest followed weeks of digital tracking and intelligence gathering after inflammatory messages surfaced on social media shortly after the Benin shooting.
Stephen was reportedly picked up after investigators traced posts on his X account in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack and issued further threats ahead of Obi’s scheduled visits to other states. Authorities said forensic analysis of the account helped identify and locate the suspect.
A senior official confirmed that the suspect is currently in DSS custody and will be charged upon the conclusion of preliminary investigations.
“The agency treats threats to high-profile individuals with utmost seriousness,” a source familiar with the matter said, noting that the DSS has a constitutional mandate that includes VIP protection and counter-intelligence operations.
The February 24 incident occurred shortly after Obi, former Edo State governor and ex-APC national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concluded a meeting in Benin.
Gunmen reportedly opened fire near Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in the Government Reserved Area after allegedly trailing a convoy from the ADC secretariat on Ogbelaka Street. Witnesses said the attackers fired multiple shots at the gate and vehicles within the compound before fleeing as security operatives responded. No injuries were recorded.
The episode triggered political controversy, with Obi’s allies and members of the Obidient Movement describing it as a calculated assassination attempt. They also raised concerns about security preparedness.
The Edo State Government dismissed allegations of official involvement, characterising such claims as politically driven. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed it had received distress calls on the day of the incident and deployed reinforcements, adding that investigations were ongoing.
With Stephen’s arrest, security agencies say the probe remains active as they seek to establish whether others were involved in either the threats or the Benin gunfire attack.
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