A serving officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Anyim Chukwudi Christian, has reportedly escaped from police custody in Ebonyi State, months after his arrest over an alleged attempted murder.
According to reports by SaharaReporters, the DSS operative was arrested following a brutal assault on Chief Okeke Decency Onu (Esq.), a legal practitioner, at a popular restaurant in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Sources disclosed that the attack, which occurred on April 6, 2024, was tied to a longstanding land dispute between the family of Mr. Anyim’s brother, Mr. Anyim Eugene Anyata, and the John Igwo Chukwu Okavor Otti family, whom Chief Okeke represented in court.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the assault took place at DEJAS Restaurant between 9pm and 10pm. Chief Okeke was having a business meeting with two colleagues while eating roasted catfish when Mr. Chukwudi and his brother stormed the venue with weapons.
“Mr. Chukwudi smashed a beer bottle on Chief Okeke’s head, and Eugene did the same,” a source said. “Another man tried to stab him with a broken bottle. The lawyer fled and hid behind a nearby building, bleeding heavily.”
Photographic evidence confirmed Chief Okeke sustained deep gashes on the scalp and ear, which required surgical stitching. Doctors later diagnosed him with a cracked skull and other serious injuries, leading to an extended hospital stay and months of recovery.
Family members of the victim believe the attack was retaliation for his legal role in issuing a pre-action notice in June 2023 against Mr. Eugene Anyata over the disputed land. Threats reportedly escalated in March 2024, with Eugene allegedly vowing to kill the lawyer in broad daylight.
Despite reporting these threats to the Divisional Police Officer at Ivo Police Station, no meaningful action was taken.
Mr. Chukwudi was initially arrested and released on bail on April 7, 2024, but later jumped bail, refusing to respond to police invitations and boasting that “DSS is superior to the Nigerian Police” and that he had “immunity.”
He allegedly continued to issue threats, vowing to make the lawyer “disappear.”
Despite multiple official requests by the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, the DSS failed to produce the suspect for interrogation. However, on January 9, 2025, police operatives managed to re-arrest Chukwudi after a resistance-filled operation at his residence.
He was detained at the Ebonyi State Police Command, but escaped again before arraignment, casting serious doubts on the security measures in place.
In a formal move, Chief Okeke has written to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urging swift intervention and stronger protection for legal practitioners.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated January 13, 2025, signed by DCP Marvelous P. Ikoriovbe, the Ebonyi State CID officially wrote to the Director-General of the DSS seeking confirmation of Chukwudi’s identity and status as a serving DSS operative.
The letter, with reference number CB:3620/EBS/X/X-SQD/VOL., reads:
“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 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.”
Police Investigation Report:
On June 13, 2024, the Ebonyi State Police Command received a formal report from Chief Okeke concerning a conspiracy and attempted murder allegedly perpetrated by:
- Ayanta Kingsley Ayim (43)
- Chukwudi Christian Ayim (34, DSS officer)
- One Nnamdi (surname unknown, 41 and currently at large)
The incident occurred at Dejas Hotel, Amuonye Ishiagu, where Chief Okeke and his colleagues — Prof. Barr. Uchenna J. Orji and Barr. Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna — were discussing legal matters.
During their meeting, Kingsley confronted one of the lawyers over a pre-action notice related to the land dispute. The confrontation turned violent when Kingsley, Chukwudi, and Nnamdi attacked Chief Okeke with beer bottles, inflicting severe injuries.
Multiple eyewitnesses, including Barr. Arochukwu Ogbonna and Mr. Orji Lawrence Ovia, corroborated the attack and threats.
The suspects were initially arrested at the Ivo Divisional Headquarters and released
