EXCLUSIVE: SSS Takes Over Investigation into Assassination Attempt on Admiral's Wife

SSS DG, EKPEYONG 

Following the failed attack on the wife of the former Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, it was gathered that the Department of State Security Service (SSS), in Lagos, has taken over investigation. 

This is just as the Nigerian Navy (NN) has reportedly moved the principal suspect to the holding cell of the SSS to protect him from retribution by the contractor of the assassination attempt.

An attempt on Ikioda's wife was made on Sunday, June 9, during a church  service in Apapa, by the suspect who it was gathered had made useful confessions so far. Ikioda is currently the moderator at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos. 

Although it was not yet clear whether it was an assassination attempt as earlier thought by security personnel or a case of abduction as confessed by the suspect, the plan was foiled when the suspect slumped before reaching the seat of the victim in church.

Naval sources disclosed that the suspect had already led a team of crack investigators to Warri, Delta, to trace the person that issued the contract for the nefarious act.

It was further gathered that the contractor who is currently at large was said to have recruited five persons with different responsibilities but all targeted at achieving their aim towards the victim.

Ranging from the sum of N600,000 to N1million, the four suspects were individually paid to use diabolical means and abduct the victim and take her to the fifth suspect. 

In his confessional statement, the suspect said he collapsed before carrying out the act because he was exhausted having spent four days in a grave without eating or drinking as was part of his preparation process.

According to him, their modus operandi was that he would go into the church and use the power of his charms and lure her out and then two other suspects stationed outside the church will take over.

But before he got to her seat, the suspect fell and passed out. When he came to, he opened up to the astonished parishioners on his mission to the church that fateful sunday.

He was apprehended and handed him over to the police at Apapa but the police brought in the naval authority owing to the fact that the victim is the wife of a serving admiral

The Command Information Officer (CINFO), Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Commander, Jerry Omodara, declined to reveal the investigation process nor the level they had reached in unravelling the case.