Boko Haram Members Trying To Force Their Way Into Lagos- DSS

Nigeria’s Islamic extremist rebels Boko Haram are trying to
extend their violent campaign across the country including Lagos, the country
largest city, an intelligence official said Sunday.

There has been a sudden influx of Boko Haram agents into
Lagos and other parts of Nigeria outside the militants’ main area in
northeastern Nigeria, said Tony Opuiyo, spokesman of the Department of State
Services. He said Boko Haram is trying to extend their reach after being pushed
out of the urban centers of northeastern Nigeria in recent months.

Security agencies had arrested 14 Boko Haram suspects in
Lagos, the capital Abuja and other parts of the country outside the northeast
in the past two months, said Opuiyo. Those arrested include cell leaders, some
of whom admitted to involvement in recent suicide attacks, he said.

You can also read the full SSS statement below:

In line with the Department of State Services’, DSS,
re-strategised Counter Terrorism measures to combat the menace of the Boko
Haram insurgency in Nigeria, the Service has continued to make significant
breakthroughs in this direction. This followed the rounding up of notable
commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of
the country. It should be noted that the group’s new pattern of movement and
spread is necessitated by the pressure being put on them in their core areas of
strength in the North East.

2. Consequently, a number of them have been arrested in
Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe States between July 8 and August 25,
2015. Of particular note was the arrest on July 8, 2015 in Gombe State of those
responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in
Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos. They are:

Usman SHUAIBU (a. k. a. Money):

3. SHUAIBU revealed that he coordinated the attacks under
reference with the sum of N500,000 which was provided by his Amir, one Isa ALI.
He claimed that the said Isa ALI has links to the leader of the Boko Haram
sect, Abubakar SHEKAU, from where he collects monies to fund operations
undertaken by their Markaz.  Also, he
revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the
attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.

4.  SHUAIBU admitted
being the leader of the team of nine (9) sect members that was dispatched from
Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine
of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks.

Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR):

5. Suspect, an IED expert, confessed to the preparation of
the IEDs used for the mentioned attacks. He also averred that he was the one
who strapped the suicide bombers, notably SULE and his wives, with IED vests,
which they used in the attacks in Jos.

Adamu ABDULLAHI (aka Babpa)

6. Suspect confessed that Usman SHUAIBU motivated him to
work closely with Ahmed MOHAMMED (aka ABUBAKAR) in the preparation of the IEDs
used in the attacks under reference.

Ibrahim ISA

7. Suspect confessed that he was the one who carried out
reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.

Muttaqa YUSUF (aka Mohammed SANI/Mudtaka):

8. Suspect disclosed that one ALIYU, believed to be Aliyu
GOMBE, in Sambisa forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the
syndicate carried out. He further confessed that he assisted Usman SHUAIBU in
planning and executing the said attacks.

9. Other arrests include:

i. Bakura MODU:- He was arrested on July 20, 2015, at Kara,
Isheri Berger, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State;

ii. Mustapha Alli JAMNERI:- He was  arrested on July 24, 2015, at Gowon Estate,
Egbeda, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State;

iii. Abuyi SHERRIFF:- suspect was arrested on August 7,
2015, at Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State;

iv. Babagana ALI and Babagana KOLOYE:- were arrested same
day (August 7, 2015), at Eric Moore, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere LGA, Lagos
State;

v. Abba Modu SAGMA: He was arrested on August 9, 2015, at
Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;

vi. Grema ABUBAKAR and Tijani BAGUDU: were arrested on
August 10, 2015, at Amukoko, Ijora Badiya, Apapa LGA, Lagos State;

vii. Baba Alhaji and Abass IBRAHIM:- were arrested earlier
on the same day (August 10, 2015), at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Ojo
LGA, Lagos State;

viii. IBRAHIM AUDU: Suspect was arrested on August 192015,
at New Artisan Market, Enugu, Enugu State;

ix. Ibrahim HARUNA: The 30-year old suspect from  Kanawa village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State was
arrested on August 21, 2015, at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area,
Gombe State;

x. Mal Ali MOHAMMODU: The 33-year-old suspect was arrested
on August 22, 2015, at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State;

xi.   Adam Wakil Abdul
JILBE: was arrested on August 23, 2015, at 
Obanikoro Area, Mushin LGA, Lagos State; and

xii. Mohammed USMAN: was arrested on August 25, 2015,
at  Atuashe Estate, Gbagada, Kosofe LGA,
Lagos State.

10.  Nigerians and
indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman SHUAIBU aka
Money and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the
extremist sect. It would be recalled that MONEY and his group were arrested on
their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another
heart-rending bomb attack and this was frustrated by the arrest.

Furthermore, the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into
Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious
terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country.

The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements has however
helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However,
the Service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence
prosecution of the suspects.

11. Drawing from the above, the DSS reiterates its avowed
determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against terror and
other forms of criminality in our country. Citizens and residents are therefore
called upon to rise to the occasion by volunteering useful information to the
Service and relevant security agencies.

Tony Opuiyo

Department of State Services