A Department of State Services (DSS) officer, Mr. Anyim Chukwudi Christian, has reportedly escaped from police custody in Ebonyi State, months after he was arrested.
SaharaReporters learnt that the DSS officer was arrested over the attempted murder of a legal practitioner, Chief Okeke Decency Onu (Esq), during a brutal assault in a local restaurant in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Mr. Anyim Chukwudi, who serves in Cross River State, carried out the attack on April 6, 2024, alongside his brother, Mr. Anyim Eugene Anyata, amid a land dispute that had been the subject of legal proceedings.
The victim, Chief Okeke, was the attorney representing the John Igwo Chukwu Okavor Otti family in a trespass case against Mr. Anyim Eugene.
According to source the attack occurred between 9pm and 10pm at a popular local eatery, DEJAS restaurant.
Chief Okeke was eating roasted catfish and holding a business meeting with two colleagues when the suspects stormed in with weapons, including a pistol and beer bottles.
“Mr. Anyim Chukwudi smashed a beer bottle on Chief Okeke’s head. His brother, Eugene, did the same. Another man tried to stab him with a broken bottle,” the source stated.
“He somehow escaped and hid behind a building. There was blood everywhere.”
Photographs obtained by SaharaReporters showed the legal practitioner with deep gashes on his scalp and ear, both of which were stitched during a prolonged hospital stay.
Meanwhile, doctors confirmed he suffered a cracked skull and other serious injuries, spending months under intensive care.
Family members and colleagues believe the attack was a direct retaliation for Chief Okeke’s legal work in the land dispute.
“In June 2023, after Mr. Eugene Anyata forcibly trespassed on the land belonging to the Okavor Otti family, Chief Okeke issued a Pre-Action Notice as instructed by the family,” a family source explained. “After that, the threats began.”
The threats allegedly escalated in March 2024 when Mr. Anyata vowed to kill the lawyer in broad daylight.
However, Chief Okeke reported the threats to the Divisional Police Officer at Ivo Police Station. “Nothing was done,” the family source lamented.
Following the April 6 assault, the police invited Mr. Anyim Chukwudi for questioning and released him on bail on April 7, 2024.
However, he jumped bail and ignored repeated police summons, reportedly boasting that “DSS is superior to the Nigerian Police” and that he had “immunity” for any actions taken in the line of duty.
“He threatened again, saying he would make Chief Okeke disappear and nothing would happen,” the source said.
Despite multiple formal requests from the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, the DSS allegedly failed to produce Mr. Anyim Chukwudi for further interrogation.
But on January 9, 2025, police officers stormed his residence and re-arrested him after he resisted and called on family members to assault the officers.
“He was eventually detained at the Ebonyi State Police Command,” a police source confirmed. “But he fled again before we could arraign him.”
Meanwhile, Chief Okeke has reportedly submitted a formal complaint to the NBA President, urging immediate action and protection for legal practitioners across the country.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Nigeria Police Force, State Headquarters, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has written to the Director-General, Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), Abuja, seeking confirmation of the identity of a suspect who claims to be a serving operative of the DSS.
In an official letter dated January 13, 2025, and signed by DCP Marvelous P. Ikoriovbe, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Ebonyi State Command, with Reference Number: CB:3620/EBS/X/X-SQD/VOL., the police department requested clarification regarding the suspect, identified as Anyim Chukwudi (male).
The letter was titled: “Arrest of Member of the Force – Re: Anyim Chukwudi ‘M'”.
According to the contents of the letter:“This office is currently investigating the above-named suspect in connection with a case of attempted murder.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect informed this office that he is a serving officer of the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), attached to the Cross River State Command.
“In view of the above, we kindly request that your office confirm whether the suspect is indeed a bona fide member of your agency as claimed. He is presently in our custody, and the verification is necessary to assist in further investigation and interrogation.”
The police further assured the DSS of their cooperation and professionalism in handling the case, adding, “Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”
Police Investigation Report
On June 13, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, received a report involving a case of conspiracy and attempted murder. The complaint was filed by Barrister Okeke Decency Onu against three individuals: Ayanta Kingsley Ayim (43), Chukwudi Christian Ayim (34), a Department of State Services (DSS) officer, and one Nnamdi (surname unknown, 41), who remains at large.
The incident occurred on April 6, 2024, at Dejas Hotel, Amuonye Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area, where the complainant and colleagues—Prof. Barr. Uchenna J. Orji and Barr. Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna—had gathered for a discussion.
During their meeting, Ayanta Kingsley Ayim confronted Barr. Ogbonna over a pre-action notice previously served on him concerning a land dispute.
This confrontation escalated violently when Kingsley, along with his brother Chukwudi and Nnamdi, allegedly attacked Barr. Okeke with broken beer bottles, inflicting serious head and ear injuries.
Eyewitnesses confirmed the attack. Barr. Arochukwu Ogbonna, present during the incident, stated that Kingsley and Nnamdi suddenly launched the attack.
Chukwudi also struck Barr. Okeke with a beer bottle, and Nnamdi threatened another colleague with a broken bottle.
Mr. Orji Lawrence Ovia, another witness, corroborated the violent actions and threats made by the suspects.
A family member of the complainant’s clients, Erube Igwe, added that the suspects had a history of threatening those involved in the land dispute.
The case was initially handled at the Ivo Divisional Headquarters, where Kingsley and Chukwudi were arrested and later released on bail.
However, due to the seriousness of the case, it was escalated to the Commissioner of Police and assigned to the X-Squad for further investigation.
The X-Squad began its work on April 10, 2024, by recording the complainant’s statement and collecting photographic evidence of the injuries.
A request for case materials and suspect transfer was sent to Ivo Division. Only Kingsley was produced; Chukwudi and Nnamdi were not.
However, multiple letters were also sent to the DSS, requesting Chukwudi’s presence for interrogation, but he failed to appear.
A meeting was convened by the Commissioner of Police with all parties, during which further testimonies were gathered, and the CP ordered that the remaining suspects be presented for proper review of the case.
Statements from the witnesses supported the complainant’s account.
The investigating officer, Inspector Alimezie Collins, confirmed that the suspects had been arrested, their statements taken, and that a medical report was issued to the victim.
He also stated that the scene was visited and photographs were taken as part of the investigation.
Kingsley Ayim, in his defence, denied identifying the complainant clearly due to darkness at the scene and maintained he had no intent to attack anyone.
As of the report date, one suspect remains at large, and the DSS officer Chukwudi Ayim has yet to comply with investigative procedures, stalling the conclusion of the case.
Source: Sahara Reporters
