The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack which occurred on 29th December, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the visit of the President to commission some projects.
The Service arrested Abdulmumin Ibrahim OTARU (aka Abu Mikdad) and one of his associates, Saidu Suleiman on 3rd January, 2023.
Abdulmumin Otaru sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is currently receiving treatment at a health facility.
Information available indicates that Otaru was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and also coordinated 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.
Further investigations revealed that Abdulmumin Otaru operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo States.
Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
BISHOP CHARGES NIGERIANS ON UNITY
The Anglican Bishop Saint Michael’s Cathedral in Kaduna State is calling on all Nigerians to disregard messages of division and instead embrace messages of unity.
Reverend Timothy Yahaya says he is praying for what he describes as a ‘national rebirth’ adding that only unity will move the nation forward.
Addressing other national Issues, Bishop Yahaya criticized those attacking INEC facilities. He further Posited that the best way for Nigeria is to stick to the tenets and good practice of democracy.
On the general elections coming up next month, the Kaduna based Anglican cleric discouraged politicians from vote buying and the electorate from selling their votes.
According to him “Dialogue is the way to go for a peaceful coexistence. The power of gun is limited and that of reasoning is unlimited, may God heal our land and give us God fearing leaders in this election year 2023”.
” What Nigeria needs now is credible candidates who fears God and that will not play a donor die politics or politics of sentiments or regionality.
“Those burning down INEC offices are distractors of our democracy who wants to pull the nation down because burning INEC offices will not fix the nation”
