The SSS, also known as DSS, said this in a statement by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, on Sunday.
Mr. Opuiyo said “the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the
determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country.”
The Boko Haram, whose terrorist activities has caused the death of about 20,000 people, has only carried out attacks in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the north-east.
According to the spokesperson, “the arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area.”
Read the full SSS statement below:
In line with the Department of State Services’, DSS, re-strategised Counter Terrorism measures to combat the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, the Service has continued to make significant breakthroughs in this direction. This followed the rounding up of notable Commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of the country. It should be 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.
2. Consequently, a number of them have been arrested in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe States between July 8 and August 25, 2015. Of particular note was the arrest on July 8, 2015 in Gombe State of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos. They are:
Usman SHUAIBU (a. k. a. Money):
3. SHUAIBU revealed that he coordinated the attacks under reference
with the sum of N500,000 which was provided by his Amir, one Isa
ALI. He claimed that the said Isa ALI has links to the leader of the
Boko Haram sect, Abubakar SHEKAU, from where he collects monies
to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz. Also, he revealed
that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the
attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.
4. SHUAIBU admitted being the leader of the team of nine (9) 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.
Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR):
5. Suspect, an IED expert, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs
used for the mentioned attacks. He also averred that he 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 (aka Babpa)
6. Suspect confessed that Usman SHUAIBU motivated him to work
closely with Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR) in the preparation
of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.
Ibrahim ISA
7. Suspect confessed that he was the one who carried out
reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.
Muttaqa YUSUF (aka Mohammed SANI/Mudtaka):
8. Suspect 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.
9. Other arrests include:
i. Bakura MODU:- He was arrested on July 20, 2015, at Kara, Isheri
Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State;
ii. Mustapha Alli JAMNERI:- He was arrested on July 24, 2015, at
Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State;
iii. Abuyi SHERRIFF:- suspect was arrested on August 7, 2015, at Ebute-
Metta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State;
iv. Babagana ALI and Babagana KOLOYE:- were arrested same day
(August 7, 2015), at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA,
Lagos State;
v. Abba Modu SAGMA: He was arrested on August 9, 2015, at Ijora
Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;
vi. Grema ABUBAKAR and Tijani BAGUDU: were arrested on August
10, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;
vii. Baba Alhaji and Abass IBRAHIM:- were arrested earlier on the
same day (August 10, 2015), at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo
LGA, Lagos State;
viii. IBRAHIM AUDU: Suspect was arrested on August 192015, at New
Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State;
ix. Ibrahim HARUNA: The 30-year old suspect from Kanawa village,
Sumaila LGA, Kano State was arrested on August 21, 2015, at Kwomi
village, Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State;
x. Mal Ali MOHAMMODU: The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on
August 22, 2015, at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State;
xi. Adam Wakil Abdul JILBE: was arrested on August 23, 2015, at
Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State; and
xii. Mohammed USMAN: was arrested on August 25, 2015, at Atuashe
Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State.
10. Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the
arrest of Usman SHUAIBU aka Money and the core members of his
cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. It would
be recalled that MONEY and his group were arrested on their way to
Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another heart-rending
bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest.
Furthermore, the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos
State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious
terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country.
The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however helped in
no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However,
the Service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and
commence prosecution of the suspects.
11. Drawing from the above, the DSS reiterates its avowed
determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against
terror and other forms of criminality in our country. Citizens and
residents are therefore called upon to rise to the occasion by
volunteering useful information to the Service and relevant security
agencies.
Tony Opuiyo
Department of State Services
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