…Recovers 3 AK-47, machine guns from suspected kidnappers

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested a five-man ring of the dreaded ISIS-linked Boko Haram members and foiled a plot to carry out terrorist attacks on the UK, American embassies and other western interests in Abuja.
In a released signed by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, the DSS said it carried out the raid on the suspected terrorists’ hideout  between March 25 and 26, 2017.
During the operation, it said five key suspects, namely Isa Jibril, Jibril Jibril, Abu Omale Jibril, Halidu Sule and Amhodu Salifu, were arrested.
“Earlier, on March 22, 2017, at Fika, Yobe State, a 20-year-old Boko Haram member, Adamu Datti was arrested. He confessed his involvement in executing the sinister activities of the group,” it said.
The Service revealed that it equally recovered high calibre arms and ammunition including a General Purpose Machine gun, three AK-47 rifles and one SMG rifle, with large quantities of ammunition from a kidnap syndicate in Benue State.
“In the month of April, two suspected Ansaru kingpins- Ahmed Momoh and Al-amin Mohammed Jamin- were arrested on April 4, 2017 at Igarra, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State. The duo were confirmed associates of Abu Uwais, a main Ansaru kingpin terrorising residents in Kogi and Edo states
“While these terrorists are already undergoing detailed investigations, the Service stepped up its efforts at stamping out the menace of kidnapping.
“In Rivers State for instance, Daniel Dibiamaka was arrested on March 24, 2017 at Obio/Akpor LGA, for his complicity in the kidnap of one Emmanuel Orji Ukah on January 20, 2017. On that same day, Godsgift Isioma was arrested over his plan to kidnap one Dr. G.N Douglas.
“Determined to decisively deal with the ugly menace of kidnapping and increasing violence in Benue State, the Service, on March 23, 2017 at Bangaji, Gboko, Benue State arrested Daniel Lorve, a member of the Terwase Akwaaza (aka Gana) led notorious kidnapping and terrorist group.
“Further investigation in this regard prompted a joint military/Police/Service operation which resulted in the raid on a farm suspected to have housed the armoury of Akwaaza known for terrorising Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs of the state.
“High calibre arms and ammunition were recovered from the scene notably; one General Purpose Machine gun, three AK-47 rifles and one SMG rifle, with large quantities of ammunition,” it noted.
Meanwhile, the DSS has revealed reason for the continued detention of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam.
“The Service has continued to hold him in line with the dictates of the law – more so that he has not cooperated on the issues concerning the recovery of large cache of arms at his facilities. While investigation is ongoing on this matter, the Service has valid detention warrants to keep him. He will be charged accordingly, once the investigations are concluded.”
Speaking further on the harvest of arrest, the DSS said: “In Kogi State, the Service, on March 29, 2017 arrested Abdulmojid Momoh and Ahmed Tijani Dodo at Adavi LGA for their involvement in kidnap activities. Similarly, the duo of Salau Yakubu Ontinwa (aka General) and Abdulmajeed Musa were arrested on March 30, 2017 at the same Adavi LGA for similar kidnap crimes.”
It said preliminary investigation showed that the trio were key members of the dreaded gang terrorising innocent citizens and other travellers across the state. Prior to these operations in the State, a gun runner simply identified as Kareem was arrested on March 27, 2017 for allegedly supplying weapons to criminals, especially Abu Uwais, the Ansaru kingpin and notorious kidnapper.
The statement added that the Service, in it efforts to check possession of illegal arms, also arrested Chukwujioke Igbru at Ikwo, Ebonyi State in a joint military/DSS operation on April 7, 2017.
A G3 rifle was recovered from the suspect alleged to be one of the masterminds of the clashes between his Ojenakpa community and neighbouring Isobo community in Obubra LGA of Cross River State.
“In Abia State, one Freeborn Chisom Innocent from Ikeduru, Imo State was arrested at Nzaocha Street, Aba for engaging in subversive activities against public servants.
Innocent who is an ICT expert used the social media, especially blogs to launch negative campaigns against the persons and offices of top government officials by telling lies against them and making them appear weak and incapable of holding their posts.
“He also used his platform to incite one ethnic group to violently attack another, thus creating tension and social disharmony.”
According to Opuiyo, the Service also uncovered a racketeering network involved in the issuance of certificates/letters of indigeneship to persons from neighbouring African countries.
“The Boko Haram terrorist group has become part of this network and uses it to buoy its membership in Nigeria.
A particular case was the arrest on April 10 at Damaturu, Yobe State of Jalo, a Jos resident Guinean and Boko Haram suspect. It is also discovered that these non-Nigerians use their new indigene status to seek privileges including admissions into the country’s tertiary institutions.