The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack which occurred on December 29, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, in Okene, Kogi State.
The attack place barely 72 hours to the New Year day during the visit of the President Muhammadu Buhari to Kogi State to commission some projects.
A statement on Wednesday January 4, 2023 by the Spokesman of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunnanya, said the State Security Service arrested one Abdulmumin Ibrahim Otaru (aka Abu Mikdad) and one of his associates, Saidu SULEIMAN on Tuesday January 3, 2023.
According to Afunnanya, Otaru sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is said to be currently receiving treatment at a health facility.
During investigations, however, it was ascertained that Otaru was a high Commander of the Islamic State West of Africa Province (ISWAP) and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations such as the:
a) June 24, 2022 attack on the Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector, Idris MUSA was killed and two (2) AK-47 rifles carted away in that attack;
b) The July 5, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and the;
c) August 5, 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi in which three (3) Indian expatriates were kidnapped.
It would be recalled that five (5) persons including one (1) Indian, two (2) Policemen and two (2) drivers of the company were also killed in the attack. The kidnapped expatriates were released on August 31, 2022.
However, Otaru operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang had staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo States. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
The DSS therefore reiterates its commitment to the safety of the nation. It assures to work assiduously with stakeholders including sister security agencies to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality and threats to national security.
The DSS therefore, calls on citizens to support it and other law enforcement organisations with relevant information and all the necessary cooperation required to achieve a peaceful country.