On Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) said that it had detained the perpetrator of an explosion that occurred on December 29, 2022, close to the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in the Okene neighbourhood of Kogi State.
The suspect, Abdulmumin Otaru, aka Abu Mikdad, and a member of his gang, Saidu Suleiman, were reportedly detained on January 3, 2023, according to the secret police.
Otaru was recognised by the DSS as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which was responsible for multiple attacks in the north and centre of Nigeria.
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“In and around Kogi State, Otaru ran terrorist cells. He and his gang had also carried out a number of kidnapping operations in the states of Ondo and Kogi. The suspects are already in jail and will face the appropriate charges, according to a statement released on Wednesday by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya.
The incident on Thursday took place as President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting Kogi to commission various projects. The incident apparently resulted in the deaths of three people.
Read the full statement:
DSS APPRESHENDS EXPLOSION MASTERMIND NEAR ETHIOPIA’S PALACE OF OHINOYI
The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it has arrested the mastermind of the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack that occurred on December 29, 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 January 3, 2023. OTARU sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is currently receiving treatment at a health facility.
2. During investigations, it was ascertained that OTARU was a high commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations:
i. The June 24, 2022, attack on the Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector, Idris MUSA, was killed in the attack, and two (2) AK-47 rifles were carted away.
ii. The July 5, 2022 attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Center in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and
iii. An attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) on 5 August 2022 in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi, in which three (3) Indian expatriates were kidnapped.It should be noted that five (5) people were killed in the attack, including one (1) Indian, two (2) police officers, and two (2) company drivers.The kidnapped expatriates were released on August 31, 2022.
3. OTARU operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang had staged several kidnapping operations in Kogi and Ondo States. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly.
4. The service reiterates its commitment to the safety of the nation. It assures to work assiduously with stakeholders, including sister security agencies, to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality and threats to national security. It, therefore, calls on citizens to support it and other law enforcement organisations with relevant information and all the necessary cooperation required to achieve a peaceful country.
5. Attached are photographs of the suspects.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D., FSI
Public Relations Officer
Department of State Services
National Headquarters, Abuja
January 4, 2023
