Court Grants DSS 60-Day Detention Order For Suspected Terrorists

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the Department of State Services (DSS), the permission for the detention of 10 suspected terrorists allegedly planning to establish a Boko Haram cell in Osun State.

The Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the DSS, granted the detention of the suspects for 60 days to allow the secret police complete investigation.

The suspects included; Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Mallam Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi.

The suspects were arrested on December 16, 2024, in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State.

The DSS said the suspects were alleged members of Boko Haram/ISWAP who were undergoing training on how to manufacture and detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

According to the DSS; “Intelligence at the disposal of the applicant revealed that the respondents were planning to launch a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State”.

The Agency also told the court that the suspects fled from Sambisa Forest following sustained military operations against terrorist factions, stressing that their release would undermine efforts to apprehend other members of the group.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite granted the request of the DSS and adjourned the matter to March 3, 2025 for mention.

Similarly, the court also permitted the DSS to detain two additional suspects, Ayomide Akintunde and Nurudeen Adesiyan, for 60 days.

The two suspects who were arrested on December 19, 2024, in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area of Osun, were linked to a Moroccan terrorist currently in the custody of the Spanish authorities.

The DSS said that the Moroccan terrorist had communicated with the suspects for over 10 months regarding jihadist publications and the acquisition of firearms for planned attacks in Nigeria.

According to the DSS; “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects admitted ownership of GSM numbers used to communicate with the Moroccan terrorist.

“The ongoing investigation had expanded in scope and releasing the suspects at this stage would jeopardize national security,” it said.

In his short ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application of the DSS and adjourned the case to March 3, 2025 for further mention.