DSS arrests the ISWAP leader who was linked to the Kogi explosion and the attack on the Kuje prison.
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has arrested two people it thinks were behind the recent explosion in Kogi. One of them is a commander for the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the DSS, said in a statement on Wednesday that the suspects were Abdulmumin Ibrahim Otaru, who was said to be an ISWAP commander, and Saidu Suleiman.
They were arrested on Tuesday, according to the DSS.
On December 29, 2022, StechiteGist Media reported that a bomb went off in Okene LGA, which is part of Kogi state.
The incident happened at a mosque near the palace of Ado Ibrahim, the chief ruler of Ebiraland, right before President Muhammadu Buhari opened some projects in the state.
Afunanya said that Otaru was also behind other attacks, such as the break-in at the medium-security prison in Kuje in July 2022.
“During investigations, it was found that Otaru was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and either led or was involved in the following dastardly operations: the 24th June, 2022 attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. “In that attack, Police Inspector Idris Musa was killed, and two (2) AK-47 rifles were stolen. In the 5th July, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, and the 5th August, 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi, three (3) Indian expatriates were taken hostage,” the statement says.
“It’s important to remember that the attack also killed five other people, including one Indian, two police officers, and two drivers for the company. On August 31, 2022, the kidnapped expatriates were set free.
“Otaru ran terrorist groups in Kogi State and the area around it. In the same way, he and his gang had done several kidnappings in the states of Kogi and Ondo. In the meantime, the suspects have been arrested and will be tried in court.
“The Service says again that it cares about keeping the country safe. It promises to work hard with everyone involved, including other security agencies, to fight terrorism, crime, and other threats to national security.
“It, therefore, asks people to help it and other law enforcement agencies by giving them relevant information and all the help they need to make the country safe.”