The State Security Service has arraigned Abdulazeez Obadaki, alleged mastermind of the terror attacks on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, before a federal high court. Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, is accused of masterminding attacks on four commercial banks in Edo and is a suspected member of the Ansaru terrorist group.
Obadaki was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism offences, including joining a terrorist group and failing to disclose information about a known terrorist to security agencies. The charges are contrary to various sections of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, and the Criminal Code Act.
According to the charges, Obadaki allegedly joined the Ansaru terrorist group through one Abu Muhsab and failed to disclose information about Muhsab’s activities to security agencies. He is also accused of providing support to the terrorist group by encouraging and assuring Muhsab and his gang to engage in acts of terrorism, including attacks on four commercial banks in Edo. The banks, which include First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, and Zenith Bank, were allegedly attacked in February 2022, resulting in the theft of N300,000.
Additionally, Obadaki is accused of conspiring with Muhsab and other members of his gang to attack the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja in July 2022, leading to his escape and the escape of other detainees. He pleaded guilty to count six, which charges him with escaping from lawful custody, but pleaded not guilty to the other five counts.
The court has adjourned the matter until January 26, 2026, to enable the court to review the facts relating to the count Obadaki pleaded guilty to and to hear the counts he pleaded not guilty to. Obadaki has been remanded in the custody of the State Security Service until the next adjourned date.
The case against Obadaki is significant, given his alleged involvement in several high-profile terrorist attacks in Nigeria. In 2012, he was believed to have led a gang that raided five commercial banks in Edo, killing several people and carting away huge sums of cash. He was later arrested and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak. The prosecution of Obadaki is seen as a major step in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.