The State Security Service has paraded one Dr. Muhammed Nazeef Yunus, an Assistant Lecturer in Arabic & Islamic Studies, Kogi State University who also reportedly doubles as a recruiter and spiritual adviser for Boko Haram.
The DSS who paraded the suspect in Abuja alongside other accomplices said he was an assistant lecturer in the Department of Islamic Studies at the Kogi State University.
He was said to be part of a terror cell planning attacks to be carried out in Igala land. Dr. Yunus was also said to be an active member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He holds a Masters Degree from University of Jos and a PhD in Islamic Studies.
DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar said the suspects were arrested at Zuba on their way to Borno for training in weapons handling.
According to Ogar, “In March 2013, he facilitated the trip of two of his adherents to Boko Haram’s Sambisa Camp in Maiduguri, Bornu State where they received training in weapon handling. They are Mustapha Yusuf and Ismaila Abdulazeez who are now under arrest. They were able to escape and returned back to him in August 2013, following the military invasion of the camp.
“The determination of security forces to rid Nigeria of all acts of terror has continued to yield favourable results as this Service uncovered a Boko Haram cell in Kogi State.
She added: “We want to enjoin all Nigerians to be vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies through the provision of useful information of suspicious activities within their immediate environment.
“The war on terror is still on. This Service in collaboration with other security agencies will not rest on their oars until we rid our society of all criminality. We must all remember that we are not terrorists, we are Nigerians.”
The lecturer, however insisted that he was being framed. He said, “My Islamic preaching had always been against the activities of the Boko Haram sects, but I was shocked when the other suspects insisted that I was a member and the one that recruited them into the sect. I have never been a member of Boko Haram for one minute in my life, I even preach against them.”
