Press statement from the State Security Service..
"This is to inform the general public that the Boko Haram
terrorist group has continued to establish and operate sleeper cells whose
(sole) mandates are to
conduct surveillance and carry out subsequent attacks in
the FCT. This disclosure has become necessary following the arrests of the
sect’s members who migrated from various conflict theaters in the North East to
the FCT in order to enable them capitalize on the excitement of the yuletide
season to launch attacks in the city.
For instance, on October 29th, 2015, the duo of Muhammed Hassan
Idris (a Nigerien) and Baba Abdul Maina were arrested at Panteka area of Apo,
Abuja. This was followed by the arrest of Sanni Mohammed (aka Kakase) and Ahmed
Umaru (aka Mallam; Mallam Hamdi Garne; Ahmed Daubi) in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Sanni, who hails from Potiskum, Yobe State, fled the area following his
involvement in coordinated suicide attacks in Yobe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna
States.
In a related development, on 19th November 2015, Mohammed Shiwar
ABUBAKAR and Musa TA’ADA were arrested at Shoprite Junction, Apo, Abuja.
ABUBAKAR hails from Borno State and operates as a taxi driver in Abuja. He is
of an unknown address but claims that he sleeps in his Volkswagen Golf car at
the Honda line, Apo mechanic village, Abuja. The Gwoza-born TA’ADA also
operates under the cover of a suya seller at Apo Primary School along Kabusa
Road, Abuja. Still, on 23rd November, 2015, one Ahmed HASSAN was arrested while
carrying out surveillance on a high-profile hotel in the city.
He hails from Katagum, Bauchi State. Suspect admitted using the
cover of a beggar to sustain surveillance on his targets. Bulama Ali, had
previously been arrested in Karu, Nasarawa State, on 22nd November, 2015.
Similarly, on 1st December, 2015, Hassan Abubakar and Mohammed Gwale Mohammed
were arrested at Madalla, in Suleja LGA of Niger State following intelligence
that they were planning to commence attacks in the FCT after a successful
surveillance of the city. Before his arrest, Abubakar was working with other
sect members in different parts of the country notably Borno, Yobe, Taraba and
Adamawa States. Abubakar was arrested in the house of Mohammed GWALE who claims
to be a Federal Civil Servant from Niger State.
He (Gwale) has made useful statements which are helping with
further investigation. So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the
suspects and others still at large may have adopted their respective trades as
plausible covers to infiltrate the city and its environs in their bid to
conduct successful surveillance and map out soft targets for the sect’s
attacks. The DSS’ operations are, therefore, aimed at preempting any attacks by
the terrorist elements against the backdrop of the upcoming festive period and
beyond.
It is in this regard that
the Service wishes to advise residents and all law abiding Nigerians to remain
vigilant especially at this yuletide season and promptly report to security
agencies any suspicious movements and persons in the FCT and even other parts
of the country. The Service also assures the general public that it will
continue to carry out its responsibility of ensuring peace and security in
Abuja and beyond.
Tony OPUIYO
Department of State Services Abuja.
source: lnda ikeji post
source: lnda ikeji post
