The Department of State Security on Wednesday announced that its operatives have arrested the masterminds of the explosions that happened at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira on the day president Muhammadu Buhari visited the Kogi state.
Peter Afunanya,the image maker of the security services disclosed this in a statement made available to NPOReports on Wednesday saying that,the suspect, Abdulmumin Otaru aka Abu Mikdad and one of his associates, Saidu Suleiman were arrested on January 3, 2023.
Recall that the explosion occured last Thursday attack amid a state-visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to commission some projects in Kogi.
Three persons were reportedly killed in the attack in the said explosion.
However,in a statement,the DSS identified Otaru as a high commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who had carried out many attacks in the North-Central and other parts of Nigeria.
“Otaru operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang had staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo States. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
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“The Service reiterates its commitment to the safety of the nation. It assures to work assiduously with stakeholders including sister security agencies to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality and threats to national security.
“It, therefore, calls on citizens to support it and other law enforcement organisations with relevant information and all the necessary cooperation required to achieve a peaceful country,”the statement read in part
Highlighting some of the attacks coordinated by the suspect,Afunanya disclosed that during investigations, it was ascertained that Otaru was behind the attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State on 24th June, 2022 during which a Police Inspector, Idris MUSA was killed and two (2) AK-47 rifles carted away in that attack.
Similarly,the attackk on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT on the July 5th,2022 was also masterminded by the suspect.
He added that the suspect was also behind attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi which occured on the 5th August, 2022 in which three (3) Indian expatriates were kidnapped.
“It would be recalled that five (5) persons including one (1) Indian, two (2) Policemen and two (2) drivers of the company were also killed in the attack,” he said
The kidnapped expatriates were released on 31st August, 2022,” he added