Eid-el-Fitr: DSS Nabs Terrorists Over Alleged Plans To Bomb Praying Grounds
The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested two suspected terrorists identified as Yusuf Adamu and Abdumuminu Haladu, who had perfected plans to bomb markets, recreation and worship centres especially the Eid praying grounds during the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr Sallah celebration, in the early hours of Friday in Sokoto.
The Department of State Services, National Headquarters in a statement signed by Tony Opuiyo said the suspects were arrested following uncovering of a sinister plot by terrorist elements to stage series of coordinated attacks using explosives on different cities across the country.
The Service said it had earlier arrested the facilitator of the Kano attack, an explosive expert by name Bashir Mohammed at Unguwar Barnawa, Shekar Madaki, Kumbatso LGA, Kano State.
According to the statement, “Their plan, together with others now at large, was to assemble the explosives and use them on select targets during the Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations. The latest plan by the terrorists was to unleash mayhem on Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri.
“Consequently, the Service wishes to announce that the planned terrorist attacks in Kano and aforementioned states have been nipped in the bud”.
On the arrest of Mohammed in Kumbatso, Kano Opuiyo explained that a search was conducted at his residence where dangerous weapons which including eight (8) AK-47 rifles; twenty (20) fully loaded AK-A7 magazines; twenty seven (27) hand grenades; seven hundred and ninety three (793) rounds of live ammunition; one (1) gas cylinder; three (3) laptops; one (1) GSM phone; one (1) Lifan motorcycle; one (1) Gray Honda Civic Car and one (1) printer were recovered.
The service said it also uncovered plans by the terrorist elements to infiltrate the ranks of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shiites.
“ This is in an attempt to assume a formidable cover to unleash violence and evoke a complete state of chaos in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja during the group’s Qudus Day Procession/Rally scheduled for June 23, 2017 in Abuja and several states in the Northern part of the country.
“ Consequently, the Service is warning members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to desist from staging any form of procession or demonstration as the terrorists will seize the opportunity to unleash mayhem.
“The public is encouraged to disregard the antics of these extremists to cause breakdown of law and order and instill fear in the populace.
“ Law abiding citizens and residents are not only assured of their safety but enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear of attack. It pledges to engage all stakeholders to ensure a hitch free Eid-el-fitr festival across the country.”
The service enjoined the general public to remain vigilant before, during and after the Sallah celebrations, urging people with useful information regarding suspicious movements and faces as well as unusual activities of suspected criminals around their neighbourhoods to immediately avail same to the Service or the nearest security agency.
