DSS: How we arrested terror suspect who threatened to kill students, teachers in Abuja schools
A Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony on Friday regarding the apprehension of terror suspect John Agbo, who allegedly sent threatening messages to several elite schools in the capital.
Department of State Services (DSS) operative Michael Jego informed the court that in 2024 his agency received petitions from three Abuja schools, detailing threats to kill students and teachers and to damage property. Jego testified as the first prosecution witness in Agbo’s ongoing trial. He stated that a Techno android phone, believed to have been used by Agbo to send the threats, was recovered during the investigation.
Agbo was arraigned on March 17 on two counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act of 2024. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/06/2026, alleges that Agbo used several GSM numbers to send menacing text messages to Premier International School, The Regent Secondary School, and Oakland International British School.
The DSS claims the messages explicitly threatened to attack the schools and kill both students and teachers, asserting that it would take “less than a minute” to execute the threats. The charges against Agbo include violations of Section 24(1) of the terrorism act and Section 18(1) of the cybercrimes amendment act.
During his testimony, Jego explained that his team launched an investigation based on a petition from Oakland International School on November 28, 2024. He noted that the investigation utilized technology to trace Agbo to Otukpo in Benue State, where he was arrested along with a mobile phone and SIM card.
Agbo was subsequently brought to Abuja for questioning, during which he provided a statement in the presence of a Legal Aid Council of Nigeria lawyer. The prosecution introduced several pieces of evidence, including the recovered mobile phone, the petitions from the schools, and an audio-visual recording of Agbo’s interview. All items were accepted into evidence, as there were no objections from the defense.
While Agbo recognized the phone, he denied ownership. During cross-examination, Jego confirmed that the original petitions did not name Agbo. He acknowledged that while he could not confirm the ownership of the phone numbers associated with the threats, Agbo admitted involvement in composing the messages.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow for the presentation of additional witnesses and exhibits, a motion that the defense did not oppose. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik scheduled the continuation of the trial for May 12.
