Shocking Lapse: DSS Officer Accused of Attempted Murder Escapes Again in Ebonyi
A serving officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Anyim Chukwudi Christian, has once again slipped through the fingers of law enforcement. The DSS operative, previously accused of attempted murder of a lawyer, reportedly escaped from police custody in Ebonyi State before his scheduled arraignment.
The initial incident — a brutal assault on Chief Okeke Decency Onu (Esq) — allegedly stemmed from a festering land dispute. The attack took place at DEJAS Restaurant in Ishiagu, Ivo LGA, where the lawyer was meeting with clients.
A Violent Attack Tied to Land Dispute
Sources close to the victim say Chukwudi, along with his brother Anyim Eugene Anyata, ambushed the lawyer with beer bottles and a pistol.
“There was blood everywhere. He was hit with broken bottles, and another man tried to stab him. Somehow, he escaped,” a witness said.
Graphic medical reports later confirmed a fractured skull and deep lacerations that landed Chief Okeke in intensive care for weeks.
The motive? The victim’s legal representation of the Okavor Otti family, who were suing Anyata over land trespass. After issuing a Pre-Action Notice in 2023, Chief Okeke began receiving direct death threats — some reported to police but allegedly ignored.
A Pattern of Threats and Impunity
The threats escalated in early 2024.
“He told people openly he would kill the lawyer and nothing would happen,” a family source stated.
Following the April 6 attack, Chukwudi was detained briefly but released on bail the very next day — and promptly went into hiding. He reportedly boasted about his “immunity” as a DSS agent, claiming superiority over the Nigerian Police.
“DSS is superior to the Nigerian Police. Nothing will happen to me,” he allegedly told locals.
Re-Arrested… Then Gone Again
After months of evasion, Chukwudi was finally re-arrested on January 9, 2025, during a tense operation at his residence. Reports say he encouraged family members to fight off police, further endangering the officers.
He was taken to the Ebonyi State Police Command, only to escape custody yet again, just before he was due in court.
📩 NBA Petitioned, DSS Contacted
Desperate for justice, Chief Okeke has formally petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and called on national security agencies for protection.
A letter dated January 13, signed by DCP Marvelous P. Ikoriovbe, has been sent to the DSS Headquarters to confirm Chukwudi’s employment status and assist investigations. Referenced CB:3620/EBS/X/X-SQD/VOL., it stated:
“We kindly request confirmation that the suspect is indeed a bona fide member of your agency. He is presently in our custody…”
Except, now, he isn’t.
What This Means
This case underscores deep systemic failures in law enforcement cooperation, judicial protection for legal professionals, and unchecked abuse of power by security personnel.
If a DSS officer can attack a legal representative and walk free — not once, but twice — what hope is left for the rule of law?