DSS arrests fleeing Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, Kogi and Taraba State

DSS arrests fleeing Boko Haram suspects in Lagos, Kogi and Taraba State

The Department of State Services said in Abuja that it had arrested four suspected members of the Boko Haram sect at Oko-Oba area of Agege in Lagos State.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday.

A statement signed by the spokesperson for the service, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, in Abuja, said that the suspects fled to Lagos to evade arrest in the North-East.

He gave the names of the suspects as Fanayi Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar and Amina Abubakar.

He said that the suspects “fled to the state (Lagos) to evade arrest in the ongoing military offensive in the North-East.”

On the same day, Opuiyo said that at Okene town, the leader of the Boko Haram sect in Okene, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed a.k.a. Huja, was arrested.

He said that the suspect had been responsible for the coordination of Boko Haram activities in Okene axis of Kogi State.

Also on January 1, at Mutum Biyu in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Opuiyo said that Bale Grema and Kolomi Adba-Aji were arrested in a mosque after they had fled  Marte, Borno State, where they  were alleged to have been involved in Boko Haram terrorist activities.

Also on the same date, he said that a kidnap suspect, Amadu Bello, was apprehended at Hotoron Arewa, Kano State, for his alleged involvement in a kidnap operation at Zomo village, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State from which was said to have fetched him N3m from the ransom.

In a related development and on January 6, Paul Ali (a.k.a. Simplee), who was described as a high profile leader of a kidnap syndicate, was arrested at Hill Flower Hotel, Asaga Ohafia, Abia State.

Ali, who was said to have operated different camps at Ikot Abasi and Mbo in Akwa Ibom State, was alleged to have been responsible for notable kidnap incidents across the Niger Delta.

He was also said to be a member of the Bakassi Strike Force which was said to have carried out attacks on oil installations in the area.