Nigeria’s Secret Police (DSS) has disclosed that it
uncovered and foiled sinister plans by Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA)
terrorists to cause mayhem and destruction that would have disrupted the
recently ended Eid-Kabir Sallah festivities.
According to a statement by Tony Opuiyo, the plan was to
conduct gun attacks and suicide bombing on selected targets in the Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States.
He states: “The mastermind of the operation is Husseini
MAI-TANGARAN, a well known senior ISWA commander who has been on the Service
and Nigeria Army radar since 2012, when he spearheaded the armed attacks on the
office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone I, on 20th
January, 2012, as well as other public places in Kano. MAI-TANGARAN was also
responsible for the deadly explosive attacks against worshippers at the Kano
Central Mosque as well as an attack on a military formation in Yobe State in
2015, which claimed hundreds of lives.
“Under the banner of the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA)
which he belongs, MAI-TANGARAN, an IED expert had been prepping and priming
others for the perpetration of suicide bombing attacks carried out by the group
in the past within the North-East region.
“He was arrested in Kano, on 31st August, 2017, and further
exploitation, led to the arrest of one Abdulkadir Umar MOHAMMED by the Service
on 2nd September, 2017, at Kantin Kwari Market in Fagge LGA, Kano. MOHAMMED was
a fighter of the sect who left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest,
to join ranks with ISMAILA towards carrying out the attacks being planned by
the group.
“Also, another accomplice in the plot, one Muhammad ALI was
arrested on 3rd September 2017, at Sheka area in Kumbotso LGA of the State.
Prior to his arrest, ALI was the financial courier of the group in Kano. He was
one of the conduits through which funds and other material logistics were
channeled to the group from foreign extremist elements/sponsors. Like
Abdulkadir Umar MOHAMMED, ALI was involved in the plot to perpetrate the
planned attacks in Kano and other States in the North during the just concluded
Eid-Kabir celebration.
“Furthermore, in a related tactical operation on 3rd
September, 2017, the Service apprehended the duo of one Yahaya Mohammed ABATCHA
and Yusuf MOHAMMED, along Top Medical Road, close to Mobile Quarters in Tunga
area of Minna city, Niger State. ABATCHA and MOHAMMED are both fighters of the
Habib Al-BARNAWI-led Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA). The duo are the
leading elements of a cell of the extremist group and have been hibernating and
furthering the doctrines of the group in the city. They were also to be responsible for
operations in FCT Abuja, Kaduna and Niger States.
” In Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Gombe axis, based on credible
intelligence, the Service in concert with sister security agencies, conducted a
counter-terrorism operation on 29th August, 2017. This resulted in the
apprehension of one Abdulkarim MOHAMMED aka BABA MAIGIWA, at Ajilani area of
Jere LGA in Borno State. BABA MAIGIWA was apprehended based on intelligence
which indicates his status as a spy/ double agent to the Boko Haram group in
the North-East region. The suspect has been spying on targets in Maiduguri,
particularly troops’ deployments/positioning and subsequently passing same to
elements of the group in Sambisa forest, while also pretending to be working
for the security forces.
“Meanwhile, in a follow up operation after the arrest of
Baba MAIGIWA, the Service further arrested the three (3) individuals who are
currently cooperating in providing useful information on the diabolical plans
of the group. Meanwhile, two (2) golf saloon cars, one ford vehicle which was
serving as logistic vehicles have since been intercepted.
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