The Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday said it has made progress in its ongoing tactical and counter-terrorism operations to degrade the capabilities of criminal gangs and syndicates across the country.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, the DSS said it arrested one Aikhoje Moses on August 19, 2016, at Azagha by-pass off Benin-Asaba Expressway in Edo state. Moses was accused of sending threat messages to the diplomatic community in Nigeria especially to the Consular-Generals of Switzerland and Denmark and their embassies.
The Service also arrested one Mudaisiru Jibrin at Sauna quarters in Kano. He was alleged to be the spiritual leader of a newly uncovered Boko Haram cell in Kano. Preliminary investigation by the DSS also revealed that he was also the mastermind of the shooting of some students at Government Secondary School (GSS), Mamudo village near Potiskum, Yobe State, in 2013.
The DSS made other arrests. ukhtar Tijani, a suspected Boko Haram fighter and three of his accomplices – Isiaku Salihu, Abdullahi Isah and Hindu Isah – were arrested. The four suspects, who were arrested at Kinkinau in Kaduna metropolis, were said to be planning for major coordinated attacks at selected targets and locations in Kaduna. The Service also apprehended three members of the Ansaru terrorist group in Auchi, Edo State, who it said were planning to launch attacks.
Terfa Jirgba and two others – Terzungee Kwaghaondo and Mathias Aende – were arrested at Badagry Street off Esther Aka Road in Makurdi, Benue State. Jirgba is alleged to be an active ally and gang member of Terwase Agwaza, a notorious kidnapper who runs a kidnapping and criminal network in Benue State.
In a follow-up operation, one Terungwa Abur was apprehended on 16th August, 2016 in Port-Harcourt. Abur is said to be the second- in-command to Agwaza and a key member of the kidnapping gang. The DSS said Abur acts as a courier for the underworld gang and was the negotiator of the Four Million Naira (N4, 000,000.00) ransom paid to the gang for the release of two Indians, who are officials of Dangote Cement Company. They were kidnapped on 29th July, 2016, in Markudi city. He was also said to have participated in the killing of one Ortin in Gboko Township on 1st August, 2016.
The DSS also arrested a group of criminals who kidnapped Senator Patrick Ani on July 6,2016, in Cross River State. The suspects are: Benjamin Emomotemi, Gabriel Ambrose, Godbless Taliboth Mattias, Blessing Sunday, Edet Effiong Asanagasi and Rose Williams.