DSS arrests sect's recruiter in Kano

dimeji akinloye

February 9, 2016 5:56 PM

Yunusa's arrest followed available intelligence, which the DSS said indicated his terrorist antecedents and covert drive to indoctrinate and recruit susceptible youths in the country.

The Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday, February 9, said it has arrested a suspected recruiter of

According to a statement released by DSS official, Tony Okpuiyo, the man, identified as Abdussalam Enesi Yunusa was arrested on January 17, 2016.

The statement read in part: "Prior to his arrest, YUNUSA had completed arrangements to embark on a journey to join an ISIS terrorist training camp in Libya, with other Nigerians whom he recruited for the ‘Islamic State’.

"These recruits include the trio of one Muhammed RABI’U, Yahaya Momoh JIMOH and Zainab SUNDAY (f). YUNUSA is a 400 level undergraduate student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, where he was studying for a degree in Information and Media Technology.

"He was subsequently radicalized and became a member of an extremist cell, comprising of one IBRAHIM (fnu) and Abubakar LIGALI, whom he revealed are currently undergoing terrorist training in Libya. He listed one AMINU (fnu) and Ibrahim JIHADI (Nigeriene), as other ISIS agents operating in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. The cell was being funded by one Abu-sa’ad Al Sudani, a media expert with the extremist group using Western Union money transfers to fund the terrorist cell agenda."

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It said another budding extremist cell affiliated to ISIS was intercepted in Daura township of Daura LGA, Katsina State on the same day.

"One Ibrahim Mohammed DAURA, Zaharadeen SALISU and five other elements of the proscribed extremist group, Ansaru, were arrested by the Service. This group was discovered in an active stage, as its members were already co-ordinating themselves for attacks in Katsina and Kano States.

"In the same vein, on 22nd January, 2016, one Obansa SALAMI, Ejide TIJANI aka Abu Uwaise II, Mohammed RABIU aka Ubida II, Zainab MOHAMMED and Abdulqadir Salisu AHMAD were arrested in Kano by this Service, while migrating to Libya, with their immediate families including infants, in a bid to join ISIS. This group was apprehended after painstaking monitoring of its network and plans.", the statement added

The Service however urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons/groups or activities to relevant security agencies.

dimeji akinloye