The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken into custody a 26-year-old man, Udeme Monday Stephen, over an alleged threat linked to the recent attack involving Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Security sources said Stephen was arrested after he posted a message on his X account, identified as @stevetom788, in which he claimed responsibility for the shooting incident that occurred at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat and at the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Benin, Edo State.
Obi was among prominent figures present in Benin at the time of the incident, alongside Odigie-Oyegun, former Nigerian Bar Association President Olumide Akpata, and other ADC leaders.
In the social media post, Stephen allegedly suggested he had a hand in the attack and went further to issue fresh threats directed at Obi. He reportedly warned that the former Anambra State governor had narrowly escaped harm in Benin and claimed that associates would target him during a planned visit to Rivers State.
According to a senior security source who spoke on Monday, the DSS swiftly commenced discreet investigations immediately after the message surfaced online. Operatives were said to have relied on digital forensic tools to trace the account and identify the suspect.
Stephen, who is described as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Umuehere Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, was subsequently apprehended.
The source expressed confidence that the agency’s forensic findings directly linked the suspect to the threatening publication. Stephen is currently being held in custody and is expected to face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the ongoing probe.
