UK/US Embassy Planned Attack: DSS Nabs Boko Haram Terrorists
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday said between March 25 and 26, 2017, its personnel busted a ring of what it described as ‘ISIS linked Boko Haram members’ based in Benue State and the FCT.
The Service said the group had perfected plans to attack the United Kingdom (UK) and American Embassies and other western interests in Abuja.
A statement by the DSS signed by Tony Opuiyo said that during the operation to thwart this plan, five key suspects, namely: Isa JIBRIL, Jibril JIBRIL, Abu Omale JIBRIL, Halidu SULE and Ahmodu SALIFU, were arrested.
According to Opuiyo; “Earlier, on 22nd March, 2017, at Fika, Yobe State, a 20 year old Boko Haram member, Adamu DATTI was arrested. He confessed his involvement in executing the sinister activities of the group.
“In the month of April, two (2) suspected Ansaru kingpins, Ahmed MOMOH and Al-amin Mohammed JAMIN were arrested on 4th April, 2017 at Igarra, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State. The duo were confirmed associates of Abu UWAIS, a main Ansaru kingpin terrorizing residents in Kogi and Edo States.”
The DSS further said that while the arrested terrorists are already undergoing detailed investigations, the Service has stepped up its efforts at stamping out the menace of kidnapping.
It further said; “In Rivers State for instance, Daniel DIBIAMAKA was arrested on 24th March, 2017 at Obio/Akpor LGA, for his complicity in the kidnap of one Emmanuel Orji UKAH on 20th January, 2017. On that same day, Godsgift ISIOMA was arrested over his plan to kidnap one Dr. G.N DOUGLAS.
“The Service, on 23rd March, 2017 at Bangaji, Gboko, Benue State arrested Daniel LORVE, a member of the Terwase AKWAAZA (aka Gana) led notorious kidnapping and terrorist group. Further investigation in this regard prompted a joint military/Police/Service operation which resulted in the raid on a farm suspected to have housed the armoury of AKWAAZA known for terrorizing Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs of the State.
“High caliber arms and ammunition were recovered from the scene notably; one (1) General Purpose Machine Gun, three (3) AK-47 rifles and one (1) SMG rifle, with large quantities of ammunition.
“In Kogi State, the Service, on 29th March, 2017 arrested Abdulmojid MOMOH and Ahmed Tijani DODO at Adavi LGA for their involvement in kidnap activities. In a similar vein, the duo of Salau YAKUBU Ontinwa (aka General) and Abdulmajeed MUSA were arrested on 30th March, 2017 at the same Adavi LGA for similar kidnap crimes.”
The Service said preliminary investigation showed that the trio are key members of the dreaded gang terrorizing innocent citizens and other travelers across the state, adding that prior to the operations in the state, a gun runner identified as KAREEM was arrested on 27th March, 2017 for supplying weapons to criminals especially Abu UWAIS, the Ansaru kingpin and notorious kidnapper.
It also said that in furtherance of its efforts to check possession of illegal arms, it arrested Chukwujioke IGBRU at Ikwo, Ebonyi State in a joint military/DSS operation on 7th April, 2017, stressing that the suspect, who was arrested in possession of a G3 riffle, is being alleged to be one of the masterminds of the clashes between his Ojenakpa community and neighbouring Isobo community in Obubra LGA of Cross River State.
Similarly, the Sevice in Abia State, arrested one Freeborn Chisom INNOCENT from Ikeduru, Imo State at Nzaocha Street, Aba for engaging in subversive activities against public servants.
It explained that Innocent, who is an ICT expert used the social media, especially blogs to launch negative campaigns against the persons and offices of top government officials by telling lies against them and making them appear weak and incapable of holding their posts, adding that he also used his platform to incite one ethnic group to violently attack another, thus creating tension and social disharmony.
“It has also become instructive to let the public note that the Service has uncovered a racketeering network involved in the issuance of Certificates/Letters of indigeneship to persons from neighbouring African countries. The Boko Haram terrorist group has become part of this network and uses it to buoy its membership in Nigeria.
“A particular case was the arrest on 10th April at Damaturu, Yobe State of JALO, a Jos resident Guinean and Boko Haram suspect. It is also discovered that these non-Nigerians use their new indigene status to seek privileges including admissions into the Country’s tertiary Institutions,” the DSS stated.
