DSS nabs 10 over attempts to bomb Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, other states

The Department of State Services, (DSS) has arrested 10 suspected terrorists over alleged attempt to disrupt the celebrations of the just-concluded Eid- Kabir festivities in the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT), Abuja, and some states in the North through coordinated suicide bombing and gun attacks.

This information was contained in a statement in Abuja signed by Tony Opuiyo.

Other targeted states by the group operating under the umbrella of Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) were Kaduna, Kano, Yobe, Niger, Bauchi and Borno, before the operarion was aborted.

“The mastermind of the operation is Husseini Mai-Tangaran, a well-known senior ISWA commander who has been on the Service and Nigeria Army radar since 2012 when he spearheaded the armed attacks on the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone I, on January 20, 2012, as well as other public places in Kano.

“Mai-Tangaran was also responsible for the attacks on worshippers at the Kano Central Mosque, as well as an attack on a military formation in Yobe State in 2015, which claimed hundreds of lives.

“Under the banner of the ISWA, which he belongs, Mai-Tangaran, an IED expert, had been prepping and priming others for the bombing attacks in the past within the North-East region. “He was arrested in Kano, on August 31, 2017. Further exploitation led to the arrest of Abdulkadir Umar Mohammed on September 2, 2017, at Kantin Kwari Market in Fagge LGA, Kano.

“Mohammed was a fighter of the sect who left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest to join ranks with Ismaila towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group,” the statement read.

Another accomplice, Muhammad Ali, was arrested on September 3, 2017, at Sheka area in Kumbotso LGA of the state.

Prior to his arrest, Ali was the financial courier of the group in Kano, channeled to the group from foreign extremist sponsors.

Like Abdulkadir Umar, Ali was allegedly involved in the plot to perpetrate attacks in Kano and other states in the North during the Eid-Kabir celebration.

“In a related tactical operation on September 3, 2017, the Service apprehended the duo of Yahaya Mohammed Abatcha and Yusuf Mohammed along Top Medical Road, in Tunga area of Minna, Niger State.

“Abatcha and Mohammed are both fighters of the Habib Al-Barnawi-led ISWA. The duo are the leading elements of a cell of the extremist group and have been hibernating and furthering the doctrines of the group in the city.

“They were also to be responsible for operations in FCT Abuja, Kaduna and Niger States,” it stated.

The Service reiterated its stance that no matter how long, every perpetrator of violence and criminality against Nigeria and its law-abiding citizens, would be made to face the full course of justice.