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Tag: DSS

  • DSS uncovers terrorists’ plan to bomb Abuja, Kano, Kaduna Bauchi, others

    DSS uncovers terrorists’ plan to bomb Abuja, Kano, Kaduna Bauchi, others

    •Arrests ISWA kingpin who masterminded attack on AIG •Eight others in custody

    But for providence, terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) would have rained bombs on Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States, during the last Eid el Kabir.

    The Department of State Services (DSS) got wind of the plan and swiftly moved in to nip it in the bud.

    The alleged mastermind of the plot, Husseini Mai-Tangaran, was also arrested by the agency.

    He was picked up in Kano on August 31, the eve of the celebration.

    The DSS described him yesterday as “a well known senior ISWA commander who has been on the Service and Nigeria Army radar since 2012, when he spearheaded the armed attacks on the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone I, on 20th January, 2012, as well as other public places in Kano.”

    He is also said to have been responsible for “the deadly explosive attacks against worshippers at the Kano Central Mosque as well as an attack on a military formation in Yobe State in 2015, which claimed hundreds of lives.

    “Under the banner of the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) which he belongs, Mai-Tangaran, an IED expert had been prepping and priming others for the perpetration of suicide bombing attacks carried out by the group in the past within the North-East region,” it added.

    The DSS, in a statement in Abuja, said the ‘sinister plans’ which would have involved the deployment of suicide bombers and gun attacks were aimed at causing mayhem during the festivities.

    Also in the custody of the security agency are eight other suspects including Abdulkadir Umar Mohammed said to be a Boko Haram fighter and Muhammed Ali, described as the financial courier of the group in Kano.

    The agency said Abdulkadir Mohammed   “left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest, to join ranks with ISWA towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group.”

    Prior to his arrest at Sheka on September 3, Muhammed Ali, according to the DSS was “one of the conduits through which funds and other material logistics were channelled to the group from foreign extremist elements/sponsors.

    “Like Abdulkadir Umar Mohammed, Ali was involved in the plot to perpetrate the planned attacks in Kano and other states in the North.”

    Also arrested are two other  fighters  of  the Habib Al-Barnawi-led Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) in Minna, Niger State, Abdulkarim Mohammed aka Baba Maigiwa, said to be a spy/ double agent to the Boko Haram group in the North-East region, and three individuals whose names were not revealed.

    Yahaya Mohammed Abatcha and Yusuf Mohammed are tagged “leading elements of a cell of the extremist group and have been hibernating and furthering the doctrines of the group in the city.

    “They were also said to be responsible for operations in FCT Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states.

    Baba Maigiwa, according to the DSS, “has been spying on targets in Maiduguri, particularly troops’ deployments/positioning and subsequently passing same to elements of the group in Sambisa forest, while also pretending to be working for the security forces.

    Maigiwa’s apprehension led to the arrest of the three whose names were not given.

    The service however said they are “cooperating in providing useful information on the diabolical plans of the group.”

    The DSS said it also has in its custody one Moses Peverga suspected to be a major source of arms supply to the Gana Akwaza-led gangs in Benue State.

    Though based in Lokoja, he was trailed and apprehended after investigations revealed who he is.

     

  • Terrorists planned to bomb Abuja, six others – DSS

    Terrorists planned to bomb Abuja, six others – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said on Saturday suspected terrorists planned to unleash terror on six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the Eid- Kabir celebration.

    DSS said the plot was spearheaded by Islamic State of West Africa terrorists whose aim was to disrupt the Eid-Kabir celebration.

    It added that the plan was to conduct gun attacks and suicide bombings on FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States.

    Spokesperson for the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, who disclosed these in a statement, named one Husseini Mai-Tangaran as mastermind of the plan.

    He said the suspect had been on DSS and Nigeria Army radar since 2012, when he allegedly spearheaded the armed attacks on the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone I, on January 20, 2012, as well as other public places in Kano.

    The statement said: “Mai-Tangaran was also responsible for the deadly explosive attacks against worshippers at the Kano Central Mosque as well as an attack on a military formation in Yobe State in 2015, which claimed many of lives.

    “The suspect was arrested in Kano on August 31 and further exploitation led to the arrest of one Abdulkadir Mohammed by the Service on September 2, at Kantin Kwari Market, Fagge, Kano.

    “Mohammed was a fighter of the sect who left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest, to join ranks with Ismaila towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group.

    “Also, another accomplice in the plot, one Muhammad Ali, was arrested on September 3, at Sheka area in Kumbotso area of the state.

    “Prior to his arrest, Ali was the financial courier of the group in Kano. He was one of the conduits through which funds and other material logistics were channeled to the group from foreign extremist elements/sponsors.”

  • Court grants DSS permission to detain suspect for 45 days

    THE Federal high Court, Abuja yesterday granted permission to the Department of State Service (DSS) to detain one Adamu Mohammed for 45 days, pending conclusion of investigation.

    Mohammed is being investigated for carrying out acts of terrorism by divulging sensitive information to members of Boko Haram.

    Justice B.O. Quadri gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by the DSS for an order to remand the suspect for 90 days pending conclusion of investigation.

    Quadri reduced the 90 days to 45 days, saying that the law only allowed two months within which a suspect could be detained while investigations were ongoing.

    The judge, however, added that the number of days could be reviewed upward, where the court deemed it necessary.

    “The applicant shall provide the court with an update of the investigation before the expiration of the 45 days; consequent upon such an update, the court might review the remand order upward where necessary.”

    Mr O.J. Odu, counsel to the DSS, who moved the application, told the court that it was pursuant to Section 27 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

  • Court grants DSS permission to detain terror suspect for 45 days

    Court grants DSS permission to detain terror suspect for 45 days

    The Federal high Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted permission to the Department of State Service (DSS) to detain one Adamu Mohammed for 45 days pending conclusion of investigation.

    Mohammed is being investigated for divulging sensitive information to members of Boko Haram.

    Justice B.O. Quadri gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by the DSS for an order to remand the suspect for 90 days pending conclusion of investigation.

    Quadri reduced the 90 days to 45 days, saying the law only allowed two months within which a suspect could be detained while investigations were ongoing.

    The judge, however, added that the number of days could be reviewed upward where the court deemed it necessary.

    “The applicant shall provide the court with an update of the investigation before the expiration of the 45 days; consequent upon such an update, the court might review the remand order upward where necessary,” the judge said.

    Counsel to the DSS, Mr. O.J. Odu, who moved the application, told the court that it was pursuant to Section 27 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

    NAN

     

  • Court orders DSS to produce detained teacher

    Court orders DSS to produce detained teacher

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce a secondary school teacher, Yusuf Lukman Omeiza, who is being held in the agency custody since October 7, 2015.

    Omeiza, who teaches at the Divine Academy Secondary School, Inozomi, Okene, in Adavi local government area of Kogi State, was arrested by the DSS on allegations that he has a link with the Islamic States in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

    Justice Babatunde Quadri gave the order while adjourning to September 5 this year hearing in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Omeiza’s lawyer, Leonard Echeruo.

    Justice Quadri’s decision to reschedule hearing in the case was informed by the absence of the Director General of the DSS (named as the 1st respondent) in court on Monday.

    The 2nd respondent, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the applicant were represented.

    Omeiza, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/502/2017, wants the court to, among others, order the 1st respondent to direct his unconditional release, and declare his continued detention unconstitutional.

    The applicant, who is seeking N20 million compensation from the respondents, also wants the court to restrain the respondents from further arresting him in relation to the allegations.

    Omeiza’s sister, Fati Muhammed said in a supporting affidavit that his brother was arrested from his school on October 7, 2015.

    She said after his arrest, the DSS operatives searched his house and did not find any incriminating material to support the allegations against him.

    The applicant’s sister said he was later taken to Abuja and has since then been in DSS custody without being taken to court as required by law.

    She said: ” I have personally sought for the bail of the applicant which the 1st respondent (DSS) refused to grant.

    “The day I saw the applicant at the DSS office, he was looking pale and emaciated, indicating that all is not well with him health wise which he confirmed.  The applicant is married with children who have suffered serious emotional, psychological and economic hardship since the arrest of the applicant,” Mrs. Muhammed said.

  • DSS busts Boko Haram cell

    DSS busts Boko Haram cell

    The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday announced its busting of more kidnap gangs and Boko Haram cells in parts of the country.

    Spokesman for the agency, Tony Opuiyo, said the first kidnap gang of seven was busted on July 3  at Kakuri Industrial Area of  Kaduna State followed 24 hours later by the arrest of  two members of another gang.

    The arrested members of the first gang are Haliru Hassan ,Usman Abdulkadir, Yusuf Saidu, Abubakar Shuiabu, Abukakar Suleman, Uzairu Bawa, and Sani Abubakar, said to have been terrorising motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    The second gang, according to the DSS, is led by Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani.

    The gang is believed to have been   supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States.

    Recovered  from the suspects are: a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, One  Pistol,  4 AK-47 Magazines, 5 FN rifle, 989  rounds of Ammunition, One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition, One (1) Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.

    The agency added:”On July 5, 2017, at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, two  high profile kidnappers namely: Rabiu Dahiru aka Kachalla and Umar Ya’u were apprehended by the Service. Dahiru and Ya’u are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State.

    “Twenty six live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest.

     ” Also, on August 4, 2017, this Service arrested a suspected gun-runner, Haruna Musa at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. Musa is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs.

    “The operatives  recovered from him a grey  Opel Vectra V6 with Reg. No. 899-MKA   and 31  AK-47 magazines.

    “On July 14, 2017, at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, FCT, the Service smashed the kidnap syndicate led by one Ebifagbe Dickson aka Ginikachi and five others namely: Williams Jephter, Messiah Philips, Sample Reuben, Prosper Ebitari and Charles Krobo James.

    “This gang was responsible for the kidnap of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass Local Government Area ( LGA). It  was also intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja.”

    The agency said that in furtherance of its counter-terrorism/insurgency fight against extremist elements, a tactical operation against fleeing Boko Haram fighters on July 1, 2017, at Sakwai in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State led to the arrest of  one Usman Musa, described as  a high profile Boko Haram cell leader,  and  six of his accomplices, namely Isa Halidu, Ibrahim Dauda, Bature Mohammed, Buhari Dauda, Inusa Usman and Adamu Ibrahim.

    Light arms, ammunition and radical literature were recovered from the cell.

    Other Boko Haram suspects were arrested at Bali,Taraba State, Sabuwar Yelwa area of Dala LGA in Kano State and  Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu, Kano State.

    Two of them were intercepted while heading to Lagos, in furtherance of the group’s cause.

    “The Service also arrested one Bashir Yahaya Ojo, a suspected member of an ISIS-affiliated extremist cell and close associate of Bilal aka Malik, another extremist element at Nagazi in Adavi LGA. Ojo, in connivance with other members of the cell, has been indoctrinating and recruiting vulnerable youths in the State for the extremist group,” the DSS said.

     

  • DSS busts kidnap, Boko Haram cells

    DSS busts kidnap, Boko Haram cells

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday announced its busting of more kidnappers and Boko Haram militants’ cells in some parts of the country.

    The Spokesman for the agency, Tony Opuiyo, said the first kidnap gang of seven was busted on July 3  at Kakuri Industrial Area of  Kaduna State followed by the arrest of  two members of another gang 24 hours later.

    The arrested members of the first gang are – Haliru Hassan ,Usman Abdulkadir, Yusuf Saidu, Abubakar Shuiabu, Abukakar Suleman, Uzairu Bawa, and Sani Abubakar, said to have been terrorising motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    The second gang, according to the DSS, is led by   Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani.

    The gang is believed to be supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States.

    Items recovered from the suspects include a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, one  pistol,  four AK-47 Magazines, five FN rifle, 989  rounds of Ammunition, one round of 9mm ammunition, one Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.

  • DSS warns ICPC, others over ‘illegal’ operations

    DSS warns ICPC, others over ‘illegal’ operations

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) has condemned the way some “impostors”, including other government agencies carry out illegal operations that are made to look like DSS operations.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the DSS Specifically mentioned the operation carried out at the Kaduna residence of former Vice President Namadi Sambo by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission (ICPC).

    However, an official of the ICPC who felt alarmed by the DSS’ claims stated that there was never any need or decision to mimic DSS in any of its operations.

    The statement issued by DSS spokesman Tony Opuiyo claimed that impersonation of its operatives take place under the watchful eyes of some agencies, adding that members of the public should be on alert against such antics.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted, with dismay and total condemnation, the activities of impostors, including some security agencies, who have continually engaged in illegal security operations, allegedly in the name of the Service, in parts of the country.

    “These impersonators, in some instances, try to mimic the Service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia, especially operational dress codes.

  • Badoo: Security forces arrest 133 in Lagos

    Badoo: Security forces arrest 133 in Lagos

    Security forces on Wednesday arrested 133 suspects in different parts of Ikorodu, Lagos.

    They were arrested during raids at Bayekun, Ikorodu Main Town, Igbogbo and Majidun by the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch Corps (LNSC), Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and local vigilante group, Onyabo.

    Wednesday’s arrest was the fourth since the security forces began clampdown on suspected cultists, ritual killers and kidnappers terrorising Ikorodu.

    It was gathered that the joint operation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, Imohimi Edgal, stormed Ikorodu in the early hours of Wednesday following fresh intelligence.

    The Nation gathered that most of the suspects were raided at Majidun, an area hitherto occupied by militants.

    It was learnt that all the suspects were taken to the Lagos Taskforce’ office in Oshodi for screening.

    According to the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), those found wanting would be charged to court, while those found to be innocent would be released.

    He said: “After combing several criminal hideouts in Ikorodu and its suburbs, scores were nabbed. Those arrested are suspects. They are to be screened. Arrests were based on intelligence and in conjunction with local vigilantes.

    “We went on the raid of those communities because of the activities of ritual killers and all cult related activities taking place in the area.

    “The first step is to screen all suspects and that is already being done at the taskforce office. All those found wanting will be charged to court while the innocent will be released.”

  • DSS breaching Niger Delta peace process, says IYC

    DSS breaching Niger Delta peace process, says IYC

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide yesterday accused the Department of State Security (DSS) of breaching the Federal Government’s peace process in the Niger Delta region by its continuous detention of some Niger Delta people without trial.

    IYC, in a statement by its factional President, Mr. Eric Omare,  said it was unlawful for the DSS to keep some persons it arrested from the region in its custody for a long time without arraignment.

    Omare added that during the fact-finding and confidence-building mission of the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the people of the region made a case for the release of persons in detention following renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

    He said the government promised to look into the request and to release some of the detained Niger Delta people.

    He said: “However, the DSS has continued to detain some other Niger Deltans and in some cases even when there is a court order directing that they be released. The case of ex-militant leader, Mr. Sely Kile Torugbedi (alias Young Shall Grow) is most pathetic and unjust.

    “The Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by the Honourable Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on the 5th of August, 2016 made an order for the immediate release of Mr. Torugbedi (alias Young Shall Grow) from DSS custody.

    “However, almost a year after the order was made, the DSS is still holding Mr. Torugbedi in custody despite the fact that they were represented in court by a lawyer, O. J. Odu.

    “The DSS has extended same treatment to Ijaw activist, Mr. Daniel Ezekiel where they have bluntly refused to attend court at the Federal High Court, Warri despite several hearing notices served on them at the DSS headquarters at Abuja.

    “So many other Niger Deltans like IYC Abuja chapter Spokesman, Alex Odogu, Yenagoa based journalist, Jones Abiri and some others have been in detention for more than a year without trial”.

    Insisting that the conduct of the DSS amounted to a breach of the Niger Delta peace process, he said the persons in detention were arrested in connection with the Niger Delta agitations.

    He said that since the government had decided to adopt a negotiated settlement of the Niger Delta agitation, the detained persons should be released as part of the peace process.

    He added: “It even amounts to breach of trust for government to promise peaceful dialogue while at the same time unnecessarily keeping people in detention.

    “The leaders of the Niger Delta region have done their part by restoring relative peace in the region and now it is up to the federal government to sustain it.

    “Therefore, the IYC calls on Acting President, Yemi Osinbanjo to as a matter of urgency and in the interest of the Niger Delta peace process order the release of ex-militant leader, Mr. Sely Kile Torugbedi (alias Young Shall Grow), Ijaw activist: Daniel Ezekiel, IYC Abuja Spokesman: Alex Odogu, Jones Abiri and all other Niger Deltans in DSS custody in relation to the Niger Delta hostilities.

    “Acting President, Yemi Osinbanjo should note that his reputation is on trial in the face of these violations of human rights as a law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria”.