The Department of State Services has arrested 20 suspected Boko Haram commanders across the country.
In a statement signed on behalf of the DSS by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, DSS revealed that the arrested leaders include Usman Shuaibu (a.k.a. Money) Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a. Abubakar), Adamu Abubakar, (a.k.a. Baba), Ibrahim Musa, Mustapha Yusuf (a.k.a. Mohammed Sanni), Bakura Modu, Mustapha Ali Jamner, Abuji Sheriff, Babagana Ali, Babagana Soloy, Abba Modu Sagma, Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu.
DSS said “Shuaibu revealed that he coordinated the attacks under reference with the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00), which was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali.
“He claimed that the said Isa Ali has links to the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, from where he collects monies to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz.
“Also, he revealed that he has participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.
“Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members who were dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks.
“Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a. Abubakar), an IED (improvised explosive device) expert, confessed to the preparation of the IEDs used for the mentioned attacks.
“He also averred that he (Abubakar) was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably Sule and his wives with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos.
“Adamu Abdullahi (a.k.a. Baba), confessed that Usman Shuaibu motivated him to work closely with Ahmed Mohammed (a.k.a. Abubakar) in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks under reference.
“Ibrahim Issa confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.
“Muttaqa Yusuf (a.k.a. Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka) disclosed that one Aliyu, believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa Forest, was the one who ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.
“He further confessed that he assisted Usman Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.”
“Ibrahim Issa confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks.
“Muttaqa Yusuf (a.k.a. Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka) disclosed that one Aliyu, believed to be Aliyu Gombe, in Sambisa Forest, was the one who ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.
“He further confessed that he assisted Usman Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.”
“Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Usman Shuaibu, a.k.a Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect.”
