Juliana Francis
The Department of State Services (DSS) today declared that it has arrested Abdulmumin Ibrahim Otaru aka Abu Mikdad, alleged to be the mastermind of several explosions, attacks, abductions, and killings in Kogi State.
Otaru was arrested along with one of his associates identified as Saidu Suleiman on 3rd January 2023.
Otaru is also alleged to be the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack which occurred on 29th December 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the visit of the President to commission some projects.
The DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, in a statement said: “Otaru sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is currently receiving treatment at a health facility. During investigations, it was ascertained that Otaru was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations.”
Afunanya also mentioned other attacks carried out by Otaru. He said that on the 24th of June, 2022, there was an attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector, Idris Musa was killed and two AK-47 rifles were carted away in that attack, while on the 5th of July, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT and on the 5th of August, 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi in which three Indian expatriates were kidnapped.
He added: “It would be recalled that five persons including an 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 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.”
