BREAKING: Nigeria’s DSS Accuses Mumuye Youth Leader Of IPOB Ties, Files Terrorism Charges After 4 Years In Detention Without Trial

The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally accused Ntari Hassan Danladi of being a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after keeping him in detention without trial since May 6, 2021.

Danladi, who served as the National President of the Mumuye Youths, was arrested at the youth wing office of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association at Mile 6 in Jalingo, Taraba State.

He was initially held over allegations of belonging to the so-called Middle Belt Ethnic Militia but had remained in custody for four years without formal charges being filed until now.

In a letter dated June 14, 2025, the DSS claimed that its investigation “revealed that Danladi alongside Joshua Njiwa travelled to an IPOB camp situated within a forest in Ozu Abam community, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Abia State, to attend military drills and dry weapon handling using AK-47.”

DSS further stated that “the Federal Government had in compliance with an order of Court dated 20th September 2017, declared IPOB a terrorist organisation.”

The DSS says it obtained valid court orders authorising Danladi’s detention during the investigation phase and insists that its actions were in line with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

A three-count terrorism charge has now been filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, marking the first formal charge against Danladi since his arrest in 2021.

Danladi is currently being held at the Military Detention Facility in Wawa Cantonment, Niger State.

A Special Terrorism Court sitting at the cantonment has taken over the case, but Danladi’s legal team says he is yet to be arraigned appropriately or given access to a fair and open trial.

His lawyer, Pius Danba Pius, condemned the latest allegation as baseless and politically motivated, saying: “Danladi has said several times that he has no links to the IPOB. If in any case they think he has a case to answer, they should charge him and try him in court — not to detain him without trial for four years and counting.

“The charges preferred against him by the DSS are ridiculous and a gross abuse of his fundamental rights.”

Pius added that Danladi’s prolonged detention has caused untold hardship to his family, who claim they have been denied regular access to him since he was transferred from the DSS headquarters in Abuja to the remote military facility.

“The only evidence they have is the statement he made wherein he clearly denied that he is not a member of IPOB and doesn't know them,” Pius added.

Meanwhile, the DSS maintains that its actions are lawful and covered by valid detention orders.

The Service’s letter cautioned that “the contents of this correspondence are classified and unauthorised disclosure could lead to prosecution.”