The Department of State Services (DSS), has arrested three Boko Haram members in Kano State over planned attacks during the festive season with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). A statement yesterday by a DSS official, Tony Opuiyo, said in continuation of the fight against terrorism, on November 30, 2016, three suspected Boko Haram fighters, Samaila Muhammad, Sanusi Musa and Hudu Muhammad, were arrested at Dirbunde village of Takai Local Government Area in Kano State.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Opuiyo said the trio had perfected plans to carry out series of coordinated attacks with IEDs, in selected states of the North-West in November, 2016, to disrupt festive activities during the end of year, and into the new year, 2017. He also said operatives of the Service arrested Sani Digaru, along with one Mohammed Ali, on December 25, along Gombe-Dukku road, in Gombe State.
Digaru was, however, fatally shot when he attempted to escape from arrest. The arrest was sequel to earlier intelligence that he was in possession of N2 million meant for the coordination of a terrorist operation in Yobe and Bauchi states.
Opuiyo said following offensive against kidnappers and other criminals, the Service apprehended the trio of Abubakar Musa, Ismail Musa and Suleiman Mainasara, on November 29, 2016, at Aduwawa in Benin City, Edo State. He explained that: “Prior to their arrest, they were members of a kidnap gang that terrorised commuters and residents of communities along the major highways between Edo and Kogi states.
“Similarly, on November 30, 2016, one Ibrahim Adamu and three of his associates namely; Umar Abubakar, Ibrahim Salisu and Abdullahi Abubakar, were arrested at Ibilio village in Edo State.” He said the quartet were part of a larger gang that specialized in kidnapping along the Edo-Kogi corridor.
Opuiyo added that on December 20, 2016, at Katsina-Ala town in Benue State, another gang of suspected kidnappers comprising one Ernest Benze, TerkuraTyokishir alias Mpoto, and Anun Aondona, identified as members of the Terwase Akwaza kidnap syndicate, were arrested for their complicity in kidnap incidents in the state.
Opuiyo noted that it would be recalled that the Terwase gang is known for its notoriety and credited with various dastardly and violent acts in the state. The DSS official also said one Usman Sanusi Musa aka Keke, a notorious kidnap kingpin was intercepted by the Service on December 15, 2016, at Sabuwar-Kaura village in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Musa is said to be a high-profile criminal who, in conjunction with other criminal associates of his gang has been terrorizing residents and communities in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau states.