DSS arrests 21 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, Enugu, others

ABUJA—The Department of State Services, DSS, said yesterday that it had arrested notable commanders and front line members of the notorious Islamic sect, Boko Haram, from different parts of the country, especially, those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos.

DSS, in a statement by Tony Opuiyo, said a number of the terrorists were also arrested in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe states, following re-strategized counter-terrorism measures deployed to combat the menace of insurgency in Nigeria.

DSS noted that the group’s new pattern of movement and spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of strength in the North-East.

The services gave the names of masterminds of suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos, currently in its custody to include, Usman Shuaibu, alias Money; Ahmed Mohammed, alias Abubakar; Adamu Abdullahi, alias Babpa; Ibrahim Isa, alias Mohammed Sani, and Muttaqa Yusuf, alias Mudtaka.

Confessions

According to the statement, “during interrogation, Usman Shuaibu revealed that he coordinated the attacks under reference with N500,000, which was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali.

It said: “He claimed that the said Isa Ali has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collects funds for operations undertaken by their Markaz. Also, he revealed that he had participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.

“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 members were used as suicide bombers.

“Another suspect, Ahmed Mohammed, who is an improvised explosives devices, IEDs, expert, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the attacks. He also averred that he (Abubakar) was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably Sule and his wives, with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos.

“Adamu Abdullahi has confessed that Usman Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Mohammed in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.”

Ibrahim Isa, DSS said, confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.

Muttaqa Yusuf, in his confession, disclosed that one Aliyu, believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa Forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out. He further confessed that he assisted Usman Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.

Arrested in Lagos

Other terrorists suspects arrested by the service include Bakura Modu, arrested on July 20 at Kara, Isheri Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State; Mustapha Alli Jamneri, arrested on July 24, at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State; and Abuyi Sherriff, arrested on August 7, at Ebute-Meta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State.

Others are Babagana Ali and Babagana Koloye, who were arrested on August 7, at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA, Lagos State; Abba Modu Sagma, arrested on August 9, at Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State.

Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu were arrested on August 10, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State; and Baba Alhaji and Abass Ibrahim, arrested earlier on the same day, at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo LGA, Lagos State.

Enugu, Kano

Also in the custody of DSS were Ibrahim Audu, who was arrested on August 19, at New Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State, and 30-year-old Ibrahim Haruna from Kanawa village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State, who was arrested on August 21, at Kwomi village, Kwami LGA, Gombe State.

Mal Ali Mohammodu, a 33-year-old suspect, was arrested on August 22, at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State, and Adam Wakil Abdul Jilbe, arrested on August 23, at Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State. Mohammed Usman was arrested on August 25 at Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State.

DSS said: “Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman Shuaibu, alias Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect.

“Money and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State, to execute another bomb attack.

“Furthermore, the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its activities to  other parts of the country.”