The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, said it captured the mastermind of a December 29, 2022 explosion near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in the Okene area of Kogi State.
DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspect, Abdulmumin Otaru aka Abu Mikdad and one of his associates, Saidu Suleiman were arrested on January 3, 2023.
DSS identified Otaru as a high commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who had carried out many attacks in the North-Central and other parts of Nigeria.
The statement read partly, “During investigations, it was ascertained that OTARU was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations:
i. The 24th June, 2022 attack on 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;
ii. The 5th July, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and
iii. 5th August, 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 31st August, 2022.”
“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.”
