Nigeria’s Department of State Security (DSS) has declared that it has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack which occurred on December 29, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State, during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to commission projects.
According to Dr. Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, it operatives 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.
“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:
“The June 24, 2022 attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector, Idris MUSA was killed and two (2) AK-47 rifles carted away in that attack.
“The July 5, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and August 5, 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi in which three Indian expatriates were kidnapped,” the statement added.
