BREAKING: DSS Officer Accused of Attempted Murder Escapes Police Custody in Ebonyi State

A Department of State Services (DSS) operative, Mr. Anyim Chukwudi Christian, has reportedly escaped from police custody in Ebonyi State, several months after being arrested in connection with a violent attack on a legal practitioner.

According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, Mr. Chukwudi, who is attached to the DSS office in Cross River State, allegedly assaulted Chief Okeke Decency Onu (Esq.) on April 6, 2024, during an incident at DEJAS Restaurant in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area. He was accompanied by his brother, Mr. Anyim Eugene Anyata, during the attack, which was reportedly linked to a land dispute already under legal review.

Chief Okeke was representing the John Igwo Chukwu Okavor Otti family in a land trespass case involving Mr. Eugene. Sources say that while the lawyer was dining and holding a business meeting with two colleagues, the suspects stormed into the restaurant armed with a pistol and broken beer bottles.

Eyewitnesses alleged that Mr. Chukwudi smashed a beer bottle on Chief Okeke’s head, while Eugene did the same. A third individual attempted to stab the lawyer with a broken bottle. Chief Okeke managed to flee the scene and hide behind a nearby building. Photographs later showed the victim with deep lacerations on his scalp and ear, requiring extensive stitches. He reportedly suffered a fractured skull and remained in intensive care for months.

Family and legal associates believe the assault was a targeted retaliation for Chief Okeke’s involvement in the land case. A family source noted that following the issuance of a Pre-Action Notice by Chief Okeke in June 2023, threats began to escalate—culminating in a vow by Eugene in March 2024 to kill the lawyer in broad daylight.

Despite multiple complaints to the Ivo Divisional Police Station, no protective action was taken. After the April 6 assault, Mr. Chukwudi was briefly detained and released on bail the next day, April 7. He subsequently jumped bail, ignored repeated police invitations, and reportedly boasted of immunity, claiming that the DSS is superior to the Nigerian Police.

He is also alleged to have threatened to “make Chief Okeke disappear and nothing would happen.”

Multiple formal requests by the Ebonyi State Police Command for DSS cooperation in producing the suspect for further interrogation were reportedly ignored. However, on January 9, 2025, police re-arrested Mr. Chukwudi at his residence, where he allegedly resisted arrest and called on family members to assault the officers.

He was detained at the Ebonyi State Police Command, but reportedly escaped again before arraignment.

Chief Okeke has since submitted a formal complaint to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), requesting urgent protection for legal practitioners and immediate action against the suspects.

Read Also: Tinubu extends immigration CG Nandap’s tenure till 2026

In an official letter dated January 13, 2025, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (CID), Ebonyi State Command, DCP Marvelous P. Ikoriovbe, wrote to the Director-General of the DSS seeking confirmation of Mr. Chukwudi’s identity as a serving operative. The letter, titled “Arrest of Member of the Force – Re: Anyim Chukwudi ‘M’,” confirmed that the suspect claimed to be a DSS operative serving in Cross River State and requested official verification.

The police assured the DSS of professional handling of the case and expressed readiness to collaborate further.

Police Investigation Report Summary

A formal complaint of conspiracy and attempted murder was lodged on June 13, 2024, by Barr. Okeke Decency Onu against three individuals:

• Ayanta Kingsley Ayim (43)
• Chukwudi Christian Ayim (34) – a DSS officer
• One Nnamdi (surname unknown, 41) – currently at large

The incident, which took place on April 6, 2024, at Dejas Hotel in Ishiagu, occurred while Chief Okeke and colleagues—Prof. Barr. Uchenna J. Orji and Barr. Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna—were holding a private meeting.

Kingsley allegedly confronted Barr. Ogbonna over a legal notice he received concerning a land dispute. This escalated into a physical attack, during which the three suspects assaulted Barr. Okeke using broken beer bottles. Witnesses confirmed the sequence of events, including an attempted stabbing.

Another witness, Mr. Orji Lawrence Ovia, corroborated that the suspects issued threats and initiated the violence without provocation.

According to Inspector Alimezie Collins, the investigating officer, evidence including witness statements, medical reports, and photographs was collected. The Ivo Police Division initially arrested and released Kingsley and Chukwudi on bail, but due to the gravity of the incident, the case was transferred to the Commissioner of Police and assigned to the X-Squad.

Although Kingsley was presented for further investigation, Chukwudi and Nnamdi failed to appear. The DSS was contacted multiple times with no response.

During a review meeting with all parties, the CP ordered the production of the remaining suspects. Witness testimonies continued to support the complainant’s account.

In his defense, Kingsley Ayim claimed he could not clearly identify the complainant due to poor lighting and denied intent to harm anyone.

As of the latest report, Nnamdi remains at large, and Mr. Chukwudi Ayim, despite being re-arrested, has evaded justice once again, stalling the investigation and raising significant concerns about inter-agency cooperation and the safety of legal professionals in Nigeria.