DSS operatives

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Service has said it foiled a plan by Boko Haram terrorist group to launch an attack in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory last Thursday.

In an update of its recent operations across the country as listed in a statement it issued on Saturday, the DSS said it arrested one Bulama Mohammed Ramat, also known as Muhammad Bashir Muhammadu at the popular Jabi Motor Park in Abuja while plotting to attack the FCT with other member of the extremist group on Thursday.

Though the secret police did not elaborate on the circumstances in which the suspect was arrested.

Tony Opuiyo who signed the statement on behalf of DSS said, “In continuation of its fight against terrorism, on 21st July, 2016, this Service apprehended one Bulama Mohammed RAMAT aka Muhammad Bashir MUHAMMADU at Jabi Motor Park, in Utako, Abuja.

“Prior to his arrest, MUHAMMADU was planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, in collaboration with other elements of an extremist cell of the Boko Haram group.”

It will be recalled that the terrorist group had launched successful high profile attacks with the Nigeria capital city and outskirts in the past few years.

Notable attacks by the terrorist group within Abuja city centre include the bombing of United Nations’ Nigeria headquarters, the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force and the FCT office of THISDAY newspapers.

The attack resulted into loss of scores of lives.  Satellites towns of FCT like Nyanyan, Kuje and Suleja were also targets on suicide attacks by the insurgents group.

The last attack by the group in the FCT was the bombing of a market in Kuje and a bus station in Nyanya in 2015. The attacks led to loss of scores of lives and injuries to many others.

Aside the Boko Haram members, the Service also said in the statement issued on Saturday that its operatives also yesterday apprehended one Saidu Yahaya, a suspected gunrunner during the screening of prospective Hajj pilgrims at the Muslim Pilgrims Board in Jos, Plateau State.

DSS said the suspect has been under its radar as the supplier of arms and ammunitions used during inter ethnic/religious crises in Plateau, Taraba, Benue and Nassarawa States.

Also, the secret police also announced that following a raid on suspected criminals/miscreants hide-outs behind Ado Bayero Quarters at Naibawa area of Kumbotso LGA of Kano State last yesterday, it recovered of one AK-47 rifle with 28 rounds of live ammunition, one Browning model pistol with two rounds of live ammunition and a P5 pistol with 10 live rounds.