Mastermind Behind Kogi Explosion At Ohinoyi of Ebiraland’s Palace Arrested By DSS (VIDEO).
The bomber who set off the explosion close to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland’s palace in Kogi State has been taken into custody by the Department of State Service.
On December 29, 2022, the explosion had taken place just before President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) was set to dedicate a construction project in the state.
According to reports, at least four people perished in the attack.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Peter Afunanya, the DSS National Headquarters’ public relations officer, the agency detained Abdulmumin Otaru, alias Abu Mikdad, and one of his associates, Saidu Suleiman, on Tuesday.
He added that Otaru is being treated at an undisclosed medical facility after being shot in the left foot while attempting to flee.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public that it has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack which 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.”
Afunnanya said investigations conducted by the service revealed that Otaru is an ISWAP commander and had links with deadly attacks in the state as well as the Like custodial centre invasion.
Video of the bombing of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland’s palace:
“During investigations, it was ascertained that Otaru was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations:
“i. The 24th June 2022 attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector Idris Musa was killed and two AK-47 riffles were carted away in that attack;
“ii. 5th August 2022 attack on West African Ceramic Ltd in Ajaokuta LGA Kogi in which to greet Indian expatriates were kidnapped. It would be recalled that five people including one Indian, two policemen, and two drivers of the company were also killed in the attack. The kidnapped expatriates were released on 31st August 2022.
“Otaru operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang had staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo States. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly, the statement added.
He however said the service was working assiduously with stakeholders including sister security agencies to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality and threats to national security.
Sources said that three people were killed by the blast.
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Mastermind Behind Kogi Explosion At Ohinoyi of Ebiraland’s Palace Arrested By DSS (VIDEO).
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