DSS intercepts ISIS recruiters in Nigeria

The Department of State Servies (DSS) on Tuesday announced that it recently carried out series of tactical operations, involving raids and enforcement actions against identified criminal and extremist kingpins and syndicates across the country.

A statement by the DSS said the operations have significantly degraded the key extremist groups and kidnapping gangs have been terrorizing innocent citizens in the Country, particularly in the South-West, North-West and Middle-Belt regions of the Federation.

It disclosed that, “on 17th January, 2016, one Abdussalam Enesi YUNUSA, a recruiter for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was arrested in Kano. His arrest was sequel to available intelligence which indicated his terrorist antecedents and covert drive to indoctrinate and recruit susceptible youths in the country.

“Prior to his arrest, YUNUSA had completed arrangements to embark on a journey to join an ISIS terrorist training camp in Libya, with other Nigerians whom he recruited for the ‘Islamic State’. These recruits include the trio of one Muhammed RABI’U, Yahaya Momoh JIMOH and Zainab SUNDAY (f).

“YUNUSA is a 400 level undergraduate student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, where he was studying for a degree in Information and Media Technology. He was subsequently radicalized and became a member of an extremist cell, comprising of one IBRAHIM (fnu) and Abubakar LIGALI, whom he revealed are currently undergoing terrorist training in Libya.

“He listed one AMINU (fnu) and Ibrahim JIHADI (Nigeriene), as other ISIS agents operating in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. The cell was being funded by one Abu-sa’ad Al Sudani, a media expert with the extremist group using Western Union money transfers to fund the terrorist cell agenda.

“On 17th January, 2016, in Daura township of Daura LGA, Katsina State, another budding extremist cell affiliated to ISIS, was intercepted by the Service. One Ibrahim Mohammed DAURA, Zaharadeen SALISU and five other elements of the proscribed extremist group, Ansaru, were arrested by the Service. This group was discovered in an active stage, as its members were already co-ordinating themselves for attacks in Katsina and Kano States.

“In the same vein, on 22nd January, 2016, one Obansa SALAMI, Ejide TIJANI aka Abu Uwaise II, Mohammed RABIU aka Ubida II, Zainab MOHAMMED and Abdulqadir Salisu AHMAD were arrested in Kano by this Service, while migrating to Libya, with their immediate families including infants, in a bid to join ISIS. This group was apprehended after painstaking monitoring of its network and plans.

“On 29th January, 2016, the Service arrested Mohammed Aliyu NDAKO in Kwara State. NDAKO is a seventeen (17) year old undergraduate student of a tertiary institution in the State. He was arrested sequel to credible intelligence on his plans with one Abdulkadir Salisu AHMAD a.k.a Daddy Tall, another student in Kano State, to carry out coordinated lone-wolf attacks on selected populated targets in Nigeria preferably worship centres or recreation venues. Suspect had hitherto been communicating with foreign extremist elements, while sourcing online terrorist training and support.

“Within the window of these tactical operations, between the month of December 2015 and February 2016, the Service, busted the network of syndicated kidnap gangs spanning different regions in the country, especially Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, Nasarawa, FCT, Oyo and Osun States. Foremost in this line, was the arrest of a gang of five (5) kidnappers, Abubakar HASSAN, Usman MUSA, Usman ADAMU and Idrisa Babangida AHMADU at Ife junction, Osun State, on 3rd February, 2016.

“On 5th February, 2016, the fifth member of the gang, Saidu ISYAKU was arrested at Ojo area, Oyo State. These kidnappers, Six (6) AK 47 rifles, five (5) magazines and about one thousand rounds of ammunition were recovered. This gang has been active in the South West axis of the country and were at advanced stages of kidnapping high value targets for huge ransom, before they were intercepted.

“Another breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping was the killing of Abubakar MOHAMMED (aka BUBA), and an unidentified member of his group, on 8th February, 2016 close to Jebba Medical Centre, Jebba, Kwara State by security operatives as they tried to escape during a shootout with security operatives. MOHAMMED was a notorious kidnap kingpin known for his brutality and various acts of lawlessness. It is disheartening that this criminal and his men had terrorized, to no end, residents of the South West zone. He was also linked to the kidnap of the elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae, in Ondo State.

“In the wake of deliberate mvandalism of oil pipelines by criminal elements in the South-South region, the Service arrested one Nengi Samuel IKIBA aka Kockman Abula, a notorious pipeline vandal on 27th January, 2016, in Bayelsa State. IKIBA confessed to vandalizing several pipelines in the State, including the 24” Agoda/Brass Oil pipeline at Idema community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The modest success of the Service in its support to the Federal Government to achieve its desired economic objectives and stability may also be noted. To this effect, the DSS have arrested a group of fraudsters who had concluded plans to hack the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) domiciled in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in order to steal Four Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N4.5b) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The gang was led by one Sunny OKOH, a hacker who worked in collaboration with the trio of Uwem Udo EKPO, a Chief Program Analyst in the OAGF, Maxwell EKENE, a retired security operative and Dozie EGWU, based in Malaysia and who is now at large.

“The suspected fraudsters intended to use a software they had sourced and codes released to them by EKPO to hack Government accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and defraud the Government of this huge sum. It is instructive to note that a credibility problem would have arisen over the TSA policy if these hackers had succeeded in their plan and thus lend credence to the critics of the policy that it ought not to have been introduced and implemented. For the avoidance of doubt, the suspects have been handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and prosecution.”

DSS added that these successes were recorded as a result of proactive and credible intelligence offered by members of the public, sister security agencies and other stakeholders.

It assured that it will continue to deploy every means necessary within its statutory mandate, and armbit of the law to ensure the security and safety of all law-abiding residents and citizens wherever they reside.

DSS appealed to Nigerians to be extra-vigilant, as well as report any suspicious persons, groups or activities to relevant security agencies, for the sustenance of relative peace in the country.

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Categories: Boko Haram DSS ISIS

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BOKO HARAM ON THE RUN As Air Force Drone Destroys Base In Sambisa Forest

Boko Haram terrorists yesterday suffered massive losses and setbacks after an Air Force drone hit their base near Sambisa Forest. According to a statement released by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UAV) killed many insurgents and destroyed the sect's equipment.

The Statement further said: "This strike is a major setback for the Boko Haram sect and a major plus for the fight against insurgency." Mr. Famuyiwa said, the location was found during a surveillance operation which "came across a gathering of Boko Haram terrorists at Garin Moloma, about one kilometer north of the Sambisa Forest."

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) released a video of an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UAV) destroying what is believed to be a Boko Haram logistics base, according to a statement released by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa.

Nigerian Air Force Drone Destroys Boko Haram Base Outside Sambisa Forest “This strike is a major setback for the Boko Haram sect and a major plus for the fight against insurgency,” Mr. Famuyiwa wrote in a statement.

According to Mr. Famuyiwa, the location was found during a surveillance operation which “came across a gathering of Boko Haram terrorists at Garin Moloma, about one kilometer north of the Sambisa Forest.”

He also noted that the video depicts “multiple explosions and a huge fireball from the location” following the strike, which “strongly suggests that it may be either an ammunition/fuel storage or weapons/technical workshop.

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How Fresh Bomb Blast Was Averted In Maiduguri yesterday

Another bomb explosion was on Monday averted in Maiduguri when a joint team of security operatives defused Explosive Devices, IED, planted by suspected Boko Haram members, close to the office of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board in Borno State capital, the State Police Command spokesperson, Victor Isuku, said on Monday.

Isuku said, "I can confirm that it was a joint police/military operation that demobilised the IEDs but thank God, no life was lost or injuries recorded." It would be recalled that no fewer than 85 people were on Saturday killed in Dalori, a village situated at the outskirts of Maiduguri.

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Boko Haram Now dress like Mad Women – Defence HQ

Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters released a statement Saturday about terror group Boko Haram’s latest tactic of infiltrating the civilian population by disguising themselves as “mad women”, with successful suicide bomb attacks having been initiated by this new means.

In a statement, signed by Acting Director, Defense Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, which states as follows :

 “It has come to the notice of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) that Boko Haram, in their desperation to cause colossal havoc, have now devised a new method where they dress like mad persons to gain unsuspecting access to public areas to detonate bombs.

The 2 male suicide bombers, dressed like mad women and carried out suicide bomb attack in Gombi, Adamawa State, is instructive in this direction. Five people lost their lives and several others were wounded in the heinous attack by these ungodly people.

The Defence Headquarters therefore urges our fellow good citizens across the country to be wary of mad persons approaching markets, public places or crowded areas so as to nip this ugly trend in the bud.
Nigerians are also enjoined to be security conscious at all times and should endeavour to report any suspicious person or object to security agencies for prompt action.”

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Boko Haram : Another attack in Maiduguri leaves 65 dead

At least 65 people were killed during an attack by Islamist militant group Boko Haram near Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri, a Reuters reporter said after counting bodies at a hospital morgue.

The remains of a dozen victims were burnt beyond recognition in Saturday’s attack when militants opened fire on residents, set fire to houses and targeted a crowd with suicide bombers, security and medical officials said.

A Nigerian military spokesman, Colonel Mustapha Ankas, said that Boko Haram militants attacked the community of Dalori, about 3 miles east of Maiduguri in Borno state.

It was the third attack this week suspected to have been carried out by the insurgent group – and the most deadly. Since it started losing control of territory, Boko Haram has reverted to hit-and-run attacks on villages as well as suicide bombings on places of worship or markets.

In neighboring Adamawa state, a suicide bomber believed to be a Boko Haram militant killed about 10 people on Friday and at least 12 were killed on Wednesday in an attack on the Borno state village of Chibok, from where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted in 2014.

Ankas said insurgents entered Dalori in two cars and on motorcycles and opened fire on residents and burned down houses.

Read Also:  13 dead in triple suicide attacks in Chibok town (Warning : Touching photos below)

“While people were running for their dear lives…three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd … and subsequently got blown up,” he said without providing a casualty figure.

An official of the state emergency agency who was at the scene said there were 12 bodies burnt beyond recognition. “We can’t even pick those ones, they were seriously burnt,” the official who declined to be named said.

Read Also: Cameroonian troops invade Borno village, kill 40

Borno state capital Maiduguri was struck by several bombs at the end of December that killed at least 48 people.

The state is the heartland of the seven-year insurgency that seeks to establish an Islamist state. Over 2 million people have been displaced and thousands killed. Maiduguri has swelled to double its size over the last few years to around 4 million as it has become the refuge for most of the displaced population.

Separately, twin suicide attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least three people in two locations near Lake Chad, around 100 km (60 miles) north of the Chadian capital N’Djamena, security sources said. At least one other would-be bomber was reported to have taken flight, they added

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13 dead in triple suicide attacks in Chibok town (Warning : Touching photos below)

At least 13 people were killed on Wednesday when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls.

The blasts happened at about midday (1100 GMT) as the remote town in Borno state was packed with traders from surrounding villages for the weekly market, Chibok elder Ayuba Chibok told AFP.

"Ten died on the spot and another one died on the way to hospital," said health worker Dazzban Buba, who volunteered to treat the injured at hospital.

"A woman and a child died as they were being admitted (to hospital), so now the death toll stands at 13. Thirty others were injured, 21 critically."

The blasts bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has repeatedly hit "soft" civilian targets such as markets, mosques and bus stations as well as military and civilian vigilante checkpoints.

Chibok came to prominence in April 2014 when Islamist fighters stormed a boarding school and kidnapped 276 girls, causing global outrage.

Fifty-seven girls managed to escape in the immediate aftermath but 219 are still being held and have not been seen since they appeared in a Boko Haram video in May that year.

Chibok was briefly overrun by the Islamic State group-allied rebels in November 2014 but recaptured by the military after several days.

Ayuba Chibok and Buba both said Wednesday's blasts were suicide attacks and had prompted terrified residents to lock themselves inside their homes or flee in fear of repeat attacks.

Buba said the first explosion, at a checkpoint where people coming into the town were being searched, was thought to have been carried out by a young boy.

But identifying the attacker's age was difficult, as only his legs were recovered.

The second, at the market, and a third nearby were carried out by women, he added.

Buba said he rushed to help his brother who was injured in the first blast in the Bamzir Road area of the town.

The second blast happened shortly afterwards, fitting a pattern of Boko Haram suicide attacks with multiple bombers setting off their devices almost simultaneously.

But Buba said it was still unclear whether the third bomber deliberately detonated her explosives or whether the device was triggered when troops opened fire as he fled.

The 30 injured were mostly suffering from burns and fractures, and that nine had been discharged, he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in Kenya on a three-day state visit, made no direct mention of the Chibok attack at a memorial service to commemorate Kenyan soldiers killed by Shebab militants.

But he told the congregation: "Terrorists should not have a place in our communities, villages, towns, cities and countries.

"We must all rise against the culture of intolerance, hatred and extremist ideologies, which drive terrorism."

Recent weeks have seen a lull in Boko Haram attacks, with only three recorded in Nigeria this month but those that have occurred underline the difficulty in protecting hard-to-reach rural areas.

The insurgents raided a village in Yobe state on Sunday, killing one man, while on January 11, another raid in the Adamawa state town of Madagali left seven dead.

Seven people were killed in a raid and suicide bomb attack in Izgeki village on January 5. Gunmen also looted food and burnt a large part of Nchiha village near Chibok earlier the same day.

On December 6, there was a similar attack in Takulashi village, also near Chibok, which again saw fighters raid food and steal more than 200 cattle.

Buhari on December 24 declared the rebels were "technically" defeated but at least 66 people were then killed in raids and suicide bombings in the days following.

According to an AFP tally, more than 1,650 people have been killed since Buhari came to power in May last year, vowing to crush the insurgency, which has left at least 17,000 dead since 2009.

On Monday, 32 people were killed when at least three suicide bombers blew themselves up at a market in Bodo village in northern Cameroon.

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Categories: Boko Haram chibok Chibok girls

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