DSS: Boko Haram chiefs arrested in Kano, Lagos
The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday announced the arrest of 10 alleged Boko Haram commanders and some of their foot soldiers.
The operatives, in convert operations arrested the suspects in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe States between July 8 and August 25, a statement by an official of the DSS Tony Opuiyo said yesterday.
The statement attributed the arrest to a “re-strategised counter terrorism measures.”
Opuiyo noted that the group’s constant movement and spread was necessitated by the pressure being put on them in the North East.
He said on July 8 in Gombe the DSS arrested those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide
attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos.
Opuiyo said a suspect in custody Usman Shuaibu allegedly revealed that he coordinated the attacks with the sum of N500, 000 provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali.
He said Isa Ali had links to the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collected monies to fund operations undertaken by their (school).
According to the statement, Shuaibu further revealed that he had participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks on Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.
The DSS said Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks.
“He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks,” the DSS added.
Opuiyo said another suspect, Ahmed Mohammed who was an expert in making improvised explosives, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the said attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos.
The DSS said Mohammed also claimed that it was Shuaibu who strapped the suicide bombers, Sule and his wives, with IED vests used in the Jos attacks.
Opuiyo said another suspect, Adamu Abdullahi confessed that Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Ahmed Mohammed in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks.
Ibrahim Isa, another suspect, allegedly confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.
Yet another suspect, Muttaqa Yusuf allegedly disclosed to the DSS that one Aliyu, believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa forest, ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.
The DSS further said the arrest of Usman Shuaibu and the core members of his cell stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect.
Opuiyo recalled that Shuiabu and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest.
He also explained that sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its terrorist activities to the State and other parts of the country.
Opuiyo said others arrested are: “Bakura Modu: arrested on 20th July, 2015, at Kara, Isheri Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State and Mustapha Alli Jamneri: arrested on 24th July, 2015, at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State.
*Abuyi Sherriff: arrested on 7th August, 2015, at EbuteMetta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State and Babagana Ali and Babagana Koloye: arrested on (7th August, 2015), at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA, Lagos State.
*Abba Modu Sagma: arrested on 9th August, 2015, at Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State and Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu were arrested on 10th August, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;
*Baba Alhaji and Abass Ibrahim: arrested on 10th August, 2015, at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo LGA, Lagos State and Ibrahim Audu: arrested on 19th August 2015, at New Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State.
*Ibrahim Haruna from Kanawa village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State was arrested on 21st August, 2015, at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe State while Mal Ali Mohammodu was arrested on 22nd August 2015, at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State.
*Adam Wakil Abdul Jilbe was arrested on 23rd August 2015, at Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State and Mohammed Usman was arrested on 25th August, 2015, at Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State.