DSS arrests Boko Haram members in Lagos, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi

THE Department of State Service (DSS) has arrested 10 suspected fleeing members of the Boko Haram sect, including its drug supplier, in Lagos, Taraba, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Mr Tony Opuiyo, on Tuesday, the service also announced the arrest of 25 others in connection with alleged kidnapping and robbery operations in  Nasarawa, Borno, Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Taraba, Abia, Kogi and Niger states.

According to the DSS, two of the Boko Haram suspects were nabbed in a mosque in Taraba State, while another one was arrested at a specialist hospital in Okene, Kogi State.

“On January 1, 2017, at Mutum Biyu in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Bale Kolomi Grema and Kolomi Adba-Aji were arrested in a mosque after they had fled Marte, Borno State, where they were involved in terrorist activities.

“In another incident, two suspected Boko Haram insurgents, Ibrahim Mala and Abdallah Modu, were arrested on January 6, 2017 at Amba and Gudi villages of Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“The suspects, who are indigenes of Maiduguri, Borno State, had fled the military action in Borno State and were regrouping in the state under different trade covers.

“While Modu sells children’s wears, Mala, who trades in perfumes, confessed to his membership of the sect and disclosed that he (Mala) joined the Yusufiyya faction in 2007.

The service added that on January 7, “one Muhammad Auwal was arrested at Andaza village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, in connection with Boko Haram activities. Auwal, who was arrested with the sum of N300,000 on him, is believed to be a drug supplier to the sect in Sambisa Forest.”

The Service, on January 10, also arrested four suspected fleeing members of the sect; Fanayi Bukar Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar and Amina Abubakar at Oko-Oba, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

According to the statement, “they are suspected to have fled to the state to evade arrest in the ongoing military offensive in the North East. Also on January 10,  at Okene town, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, the leader of the Boko Haram sect in Okene, Abdullahi Mohammed, aka Huja, was arrested. The subject had been responsible for the coordination of Boko Haram activities in Okene axis of Kogi State.”

The Service also arrested key commanders of kidnap gangs and robbery operations in nine states.

According to the statement, “Abdulkarim Dahiru, a key terrorist commander and an indigene of Okengwa, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, was arrested at the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja. Suspect was identified as the main coordinator of several kidnappings as well as other robbery activities in Kogi and Edo states.

“Also on January 1, 2017, a kidnap suspect, Amadu Bello, was apprehended at Hotoron Arewa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, for his involvement in an operation at Zomo village, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, from which he got a share of N3 million from the ransom.”

It added that that “on January 6, 2017, one Paul Ali (aka Simplee), a high profile leader of a kidnap syndicate, was arrested at Hill Flower Hotel, Asaga Ohafia, Abia State. Ali, who operates camps at Ikot Abasi and Mbo local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, is responsible for notable kidnap incidents across the Niger Delta.

“He is also a member of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) which has carried out attacks on oil installations in the area. At the time of his arrest, Ali, with his associate, Chidiebere Kanu, was planning the kidnap of a federal lawmaker and an expatriate. Kanu is presently at large. “

The Service said “security operations conducted from January 3 to 7 across some flashpoints in Lagos State led to the arrest of seven kidnap suspects, six of whom, namely Gilbert Koku Nelson, John Nelson, Adekoya Kazeem, Muhammad Lawal, Abu Yahro and Kelvin Nwanaji; were arrested in connection with the kidnap of a management staff of Dangote Group.

“The two other suspects, Abdullahi Bello and Bello Gumel, were apprehended at Navy Town, Ojo Local Government Area and Naval Base, Alakija, respectively, in connection with the kidnap of another Customs officer, on December 20, 2016.  Members of the above gang specialised in spying on senior company executives and laying ambush for kidnap and robbery operations for huge ransom.”

According to the Service” On January 7, the trio of Elijah Awua, Joseph Ejaka and Hope Nathan, were arrested, at Kanshio, Otukpo road, Makurdi, Benue State.

“The suspects are members of a notorious kidnap syndicate that has been responsible for several kidnap operations in Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states. Their most recent venture was the gang’s abduction of a staff of Radio Benue, Makurdi, on December 2, 2016. Suspects were arrested with a silver coloured Toyota RAV4 marked ABJ AQ 720 KUJ.

“Two other members of the syndicate identified as Gabriel Joshua and Timothy (FNU) are currently on the run and being trailed.”

It further explained that “on January 8, 2017, one Bello Mohammed (aka Awilo), the leader of a syndicate that specialised in car theft and burglary in Gombe State, was arrested at Jekadafari area of Gombe metropolis of the state. Mohammed confessed to being the kingpin of the syndicate in the state.

“His confession led to the arrest of an associate, Abdullahi Ibrahim (alias Dibal) who is seen at the arrowhead of the gang in the North-East. Ibrahim also disclosed that he has stolen 10 cars in Gombe. Based on his confession, two buyers of the stolen cars, identified as Surajo Ali Gombe and Danjuma Baka, have been arrested.”

It added that “on January 8, 2017 about 1500 hours, one Elijah Oyebode, aged 22, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of one Damilola Rofiat Adebisi (F), a 400-level student of the Department of Chemistry Education, Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa campus, Oriade Local Government Area.

“The incident occurred on December 22, 2016. Oyebode confessed to picking the victim along with two other men on December 22, 2016 and claimed to have dropped them off at a house in Ikirun. Investigation is ongoing.”

The Service pointed out that these successes were recorded as a result of proactive and credible intelligence offered by patriotic citizens, with effective cooperation of sister agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

It restated its determination to sustain the tempo within the provisions of the law, as part of its drive towards ensuring the security of lives and property of all law-abiding residents and citizens in the country.