Department of State Services (DSS) discovers Boko Haram sleeper cells in Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted members of the public that the Boko Haram terrorist group has continued to establish and operate sleeper cells with the sole mandate to conduct surveillance and subsequently carry-out attacks in Abuja and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This is coming as the Nigerian Army made a strategic advancement and gains in Sambisa forest, Borno State, where they discovered several Boko Haram tunnels.

The DSS in a statement yesterday, said the disclosure had become necessary following the arrests of the sect’s members who migrated from various conflict theatres in the North East to the FCT in order to enable them capitalise on the excitement of the yuletide season to launch attacks in the city.

"For instance, on October 29, the duo of Muhammed Hassan Idris (a Nigerien) and Baba Abdul Maina were arrested at Panteka area of Apo, Abuja. This was followed by the arrest of Sanni Mohammed (aka Kakase) and Ahmed Umaru (aka Mallam; Mallam Hamdi Garne; Ahmed Daubi) in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Sanni, who hails from Potiskum, Yobe State, fled the area following his involvement in coordinated suicide attacks in Yobe, Plateau, Kano and Kaduna States," the DSS said in a statement signed by Tony Opuiyo.

In a related development, he said, on November 19, Mohammed Shiwar Abubakar and Musa Ta'ada were arrested at Shoprite Junction, Apo, Abuja.

"Abubakar hails from Borno State and operates as a taxi driver in Abuja. He is of an unknown address but claims that he sleeps in his Volkswagen Golf car at the Honda line, Apo mechanic village, Abuja. The Gwoza-born Ta'ada also operates under the cover of a suya seller at Apo Primary School along Kabusa Road, Abuja," he explained.

Still, on November 23, Opuiyo revealed, one Ahmed Hassan was arrested while carrying out surveillance on a high-profile hotel in the city.

He said that the suspect, who hails from Katagum, Bauchi State, admitted using the cover of a beggar to sustain surveillance on his targets; while Bulama Ali, had previously been arrested in Karu, Nasarawa State, on November 22.

In the same vein, he said that one Hassan Abubakar and Mohammed Gwale Mohammed were on December 1 arrested at Madalla, in Suleja LGA of Niger State following intelligence that they were planning to commence attacks in the FCT after a successful surveillance of the city.

Before his arrest, Opuiyo stated, Abubakar was working with other sect members in different parts of the country notably Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa States.

"Abubakar was arrested in the house of Mohammed Gwale who claims to be a Federal Civil Servant from Niger State. He (Gwale) has made useful statements which are helping with further investigation," he added.

He noted that so far, preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects and others still at large may have adopted their respective trades as plausible covers to infiltrate the city and its environs in their bid to conduct successful surveillance and map out soft targets for the sect’s attacks.

"The DSS’ operations are, therefore, aimed at preempting any attacks by the terrorist elements against the backdrop of the upcoming festive period and beyond.

"It is in this regard that the Service wishes to advise residents and all law abiding Nigerians to remain vigilant especially at this yuletide season and promptly report to security agencies any suspicious movements and persons in the FCT and even other parts of the country," he stressed.

Opuiyo also assured the general public that the service would continue to carry out its responsibility of ensuring peace and security in Abuja and beyond.