DSS Nabs Mastermind of Terror Threat against Diplomatic Corps

DSS Nabs Mastermind of Terror Threat against Diplomatic Corps

•Uncovers Boko Haram plot to bomb Kogi, Edo

The Department of State Services (DSS) has nabbed the mastermind of the recent terrorist threat against diplomatic communities in Nigeria and also uncovered plots by Boko Haram terrorists to attack Edo and Kogi States.

             

The DSS in a statement signed today by Mr. Tony Opuiyo said the latest success was recorded in furtherance to their ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade the capabilities of criminal gangs/syndicates in their hide-outs across the country.

Opuiyo said: "Following threat messages against some members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja and Lagos, the DSS responded and subsequently apprehended one Aikhoje Moses on August 19, 2016, at Azagha by-pass off the Benin–Asaba expressway in Edo State."

He noted that before his arrest, Moses had threatened the diplomatic community in Nigeria, particularly the Consular-Generals of Switzerland and Denmark and their embassies in Nigeria, warning them to leave the country.   

He said the DSS also arrested one Mudaisiru Jibrin, popularly known Namakele/Alarama on July 17, 2016, at Sauna quarters, Yankaba area of Kano.

According to him, Jibrin was the spiritual leader to a newly uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano. He stated that preliminary investigation so far conducted revealed that he was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School (GSS), Mamudo village near Potiskum in Yobe State in 2013.

In the same vein, Opuiyo stated that the DSS, on July 8, 2016, at Kinkinau area in Unguwar Mu’azu of Kaduna metropolis,  arrested one Mukhtar Tijani, a notorious Boko Haram fighter and three  of his accomplices namely, Isiaku Salihu, Abdullahi Isah and Hindu Isah.

He said the four suspects were apprehended while perfecting arrangements for major coordinated attacks on selected targets in Kaduna State.

In a related development, the statement said the Nigerian secret police had "on August 12, 2016, in Auchi, Edo State, nabbed three members of the Ansaru terrorist group hibernating in Kogi State.”

The spokesperson stated that "Usman Abdullahi, Abdulmumuni Sadio and Ahmad Salihu were arrested while making arrangements to launch attacks on some selected targets in Edo and Kogi States, before escaping to join ISIS in Libya."

Part of the statement read: "Following recurring attacks by cattle rustlers in Zamfara State, the Service conducted series of operations in collaboration with the military to degrade the criminal network of one ‘Buhari General’ in the state. Sequel to these operations, the DSS arrested one Abdullahi Haruna aka Douglas, a bread seller on August 13, 2016, at Hayin Buba area in Gusau local council area of Zamfara State. Haruna was intercepted while using the cover of his petty business to monitor security bases and movement of security agents in the state in a bid to facilitate counter-attacks on security personnel deployed to the state.

"Also, on August 12, 2016, at Aliero town in Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State, one Hussaini Alhaji Sule aka Yellow, was apprehended by the DSS. His arrest was facilitated by an earlier operation of July 29, 2016, when one Hafizu Sani, a spy and criminal associate of ‘Buhari General’, was apprehended by the DSS. Prior to his arrest, Sani was also spying on the movements of security agents in Zamfara State. Sani, in concert with other elements, have been terrorising local communities in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States respectively, engaging in cattle rustling and kidnap activities.

"Meanwhile, following the spate of gruesome killing and kidnap incidents in Benue State, on August 8, 2016, the Service arrested one Terfa Jirgba and two  of his accomplices, namely Terzungee Kwaghaondo and Mathias Aende, at Badagry Street off Esther Aka road in Makurdi, Benue State. Jirgba is an active ally and gang member of Terwase Agwaza aka Ghana, a notorious kidnapper who runs a kidnapping and criminal network in the state.