JUST IN: DSS arrests ISWAP commander, another suspect linked to Kogi explosion
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested two men linked to the explosion that occurred near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state.
Both suspects alleged to have masterminded the explosion were identified as Abdulmumin Otaru popularly called Abu Mikdad and his associate, Saidu Suleiman.
As gathered, Otaru was said to be a senior member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and had been terrorising residents of Kogi and Ondo states before his arrest by the DSS.
It was learnt that Otaru operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi and had led his gang in staging several kidnap operations in Kogi as well as Ondo and allegedly participated in the attack on Kuje prison in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and others.
Both suspects’ arrests were announced on Wednesday by the Public Relations Officer, DSS, Peter Afunanya, through a statement made available to newsmen barely a week after they perpetrated the act in the state.
Afunanya disclosed that the suspects were in custody of the security agency and would be prosecuted in accordance with the country’s constitution.
While reiterating that the DSS remains committed to safety of the nation, the DSS spokesperson assured Nigerians that security agency would continue to work assiduously with stakeholders including sister security agencies to tackle menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality as well as any threat to national security.
