The Department of State Services has arrested the mastermind of a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack of 29th December 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the President visit to commission some projects in the state.
A statement by the DSS spokesperson Dr Peter Afunanya says the Service arrested one Abdulmumin Ibrahim OTARU (aka Abu Mikdad) and his associates, Saidu SULEIMAN on the 3rd January, 2023.
OTARU according to the statement sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is currently receiving treatment at a health facility.
Investigations by DSS, revealed that OTARU was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and has coordinated several attacks including the 5th July, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja.
Similarly, OTARU and his gang have staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo States. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
He had the efontry to bomb on the day the President was visiting the state, he was shot and sustained gunshot wounds.
This will not be his first attack, he was responsible for the bombing of
a police area command in Kogi as well as the mastermind of the Kuje correctional facility attack in Abuja.
Recall the kidnap and killing in a ceramic industry in Ajaokuta where an Indian was killed and five expatriates were kidnapped on August 5th and they were released on the 31st of August, according to reports by the DSS.
Executive Editor, Upshot Media, Mojeed Jamiu stated that since he has been arrested, the security agencies should build on that to ensure that such activities are minimised along that axis.
Further speaking on the arrest of Otaru, Chris Kehinde-Nwandu, CEO, Inside Politics with CKN said what happened was an attempt on the life of President Muhammadu Buhari, although he was not dead.
According to him, it was a very big security risk.
He noted that the problem we have in Nigeria which we are still having is the ability to see the prosecution of people that have engaged in things like this to a logical conclusion.
He said “The Boko Haram issues. The federal government told us at that time that they have a list of over 400 Boko Haram terrorists that were arrested that they’re going to be prosecuted, till today, we have heard nothing.
“We saw what happened in the United Arab Emirates where about five people we are pinned down for art of terrorism and supporting and financing, they were quickly tried and sentenced within a week.
“They have been arrested, the question is what happens next? when are they going to prosecute.
“They are not the only two people who planned this attack, there must have been so many other people who took part in the attack.
“CKN went on to say, so many have been arrested South East, North, South West for acts of terrorism but the fact still remains that these people are not being brought to book.
Mr Jamiu added that it will not be surprising if Otaru had connections to the Owo massacre where people were killed in the church.
He added that with the arrest, security operatives will be able to unravel more and further breakdown his command structure.
He noted that it was a good thing Otaru did not die so that more information can be extracted to help in police investigation.
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