Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a 26-year-old suspect, identified as Udeme Sunday Stephen, over his alleged involvement in the attack on Peter Obi and other political figures in Benin, the Edo State capital.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Obi and some party chieftains were attacked last Tuesday at the residence of a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Odigie-Oyegun.

According to the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, the incident occurred shortly after the group returned from the ADC secretariat, where they formally welcomed the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, into the party.

Shortly after the attack, the suspect allegedly posted on his X handle, @stevetom788, claiming responsibility and threatening further attacks on Obi. In the post, Stephen reportedly stated that Obi was lucky to have escaped the Benin incident and vowed that he would not be as fortunate next time.

A source within the DSS disclosed that immediately after the threats were issued online, operatives launched a covert investigation, employing forensic analysis to track the suspect.

The source revealed that Stephen, said to be a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, located in Umuehere Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, was subsequently arrested and is currently in custody.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect. As a responsible security organisation tasked with counter-espionage and VIP protection, among other duties, the DSS remains committed to investigating credible intelligence irrespective of tribe or religion.

“They swiftly deployed operatives, and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody. The suspect would soon be charged in court,” the source said.

Authorities have yet to release an official public statement on the development, but the suspect is expected to be arraigned once investigations are concluded.