The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday heard that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) buried a slain commander with 30 human heads, as part of directives allegedly issued by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the separatist group.
A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), testifying as the fourth prosecution witness in Kanus ongoing terrorism trial, told the court that members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), IPOBs armed wing, were instructed to bury the late commander, Ikonso, with 2,000 human heads.
According to the DSS operative, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the group was only able to procure 30 heads.
He said one ESN member, Uzuoma Benjamin, also known as Onye Army, confessed during interrogation that the heads of 10 girls were used to prepare charms for spiritual protection.
The witness added that Kanu gave the orders through Radio Biafra broadcasts, including one in which he allegedly directed IPOB members to invade the Owerri correctional center and kill federal security operatives.
He told the court that the radio transmitter used to power Radio Biafra was smuggled into Nigeria by Kanu and kept in the residence of one Benjamin Madubugu in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra state.
The DSS later recovered the device and presented it to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for inspection. The NBC confirmed it was a German-made FM transmitter, which had not been licensed to operate in Nigeria.
The witness added that the broadcast equipment was funded by IPOB members abroad and that Kanu recorded a video with it to assure supporters of its deployment.
He said IPOB and ESN were responsible for a series of attacks on public infrastructure in the southeast, including police stations and the homes of traditional rulers.
He claimed that between 170 and 200 security agents had been killed by IPOB and ESN operatives, including two DSS officers.
The witness also gave fresh details on the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, who was assassinated on May 30, 2021, in Owerri.
He said the ESN set up a checkpoint on the road to the airport where Gulak was traveling, and after discovering he could not speak Igbo despite claiming to be from the region, identified him as one of them due to a visible prayer mark on his forehead and shot him dead.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted there was no official record showing the transmitter was imported legally, nor could he confirm when or how it entered the country.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case till Thursday for continuation of trial.
