The Department of State Services has arrested 20 suspected Boko Haram leaders in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Gombe states.
In a statement signed on behalf of the DSS by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, DSS revealed that the insurgents have spread to other parts of the country due to the renewed military offensive towards defeating them.
The arrested leaders include Usman Shuaibu (a.k.a. Money) Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a. Abubakar), Adamu Abubakar, (a.k.a. Baba), Ibrahim Musa, Mustapha Yusuf (a.k.a. Mohammed Sanni), Bakura Modu, Mustapha Ali Jamner, Abuji Sheriff, Babagana Ali, Babagana Soloy, Abba Modu Sagma, Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu.
DSS said “Shuaibu revealed that he coordinated the attacks under reference with the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00), 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.
“Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members who were 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 (a.k.a. Abubakar), an IED (improvised explosive device) expert, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the mentioned attacks.
“He also averred that he (Abubakar) 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 (a.k.a. Baba), confessed that Usman Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a. Abubakar) in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.
“Ibrahim Issa confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.
“Muttaqa Yusuf (a.k.a. Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka) disclosed that one Aliyu, believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa Forest, was the one who ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.
“He further confessed that he assisted Usman Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.”
“Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman Shuaibu, a.k.a Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect.”
While outlining the Lagos arrests, DSS said Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu arrested on 10th August, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos State; Baba Alhaji and Abass Ibrahim arrested earlier on the same day (10th August, 2015), at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State; Adam Wakil Abdul Jilbe was arrested on 23rd August 2015 at Obanikoro Area, Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State; and Mohammed Usman was arrested on 25th August, 2015 at Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Bakura Modu, who was arrested on 20th July, 2015 at Kara, Isheri Berger, Ikeja Local Government Area, Lagos State; Mustapha Alli Jameneri arrested on 24th July, 2015 at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State; Abuyi Sherriff arrested on 7th August, 2015, at Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Lagos State; Babagana Ali and Babagana Koloye were arrested same day (7th August, 2015), at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State; and Abba Modu Sagma nabbed on 9th August, 2015, at Ijora Badiya, Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos State.
DSS added that “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 self-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.
“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.”