The mastermind of the planned terrorists attacks on Abuja and six states of the federation during the muslim festival, Eid-el-Kabir, Husseini Mai-Tangaran, has been arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.
The arrest was effected before the insurgency could be carried out.
Also arrested is one Abdulkadir Mohammed who was allegedly involved in the plot.
His arrest was effected on September 2, at Kantin Kwari Market, Fagge, Kano.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, detailing the foiled plot of the terrorists, “Mohammed was a fighter of the sect who left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest, to join ranks with Ismaila towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group.”
Opuiyo added: “Also, another accomplice in the plot, one Muhammad Ali was arrested on September 3, at Sheka area in Kumbotso area of the state.
“Prior to his arrest, Ali was the financial courier of the group in Kano. He was one of the conduits through which funds and other material logistics were channeled to the group from foreign extremist elements/sponsors.
“Like Abdulkadir Mohammed, Ali was involved in the plot to perpetrate the planned attacks in Kano and other states in the North during the just concluded Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”
Speaking on Mai-Tangaran, the DSS is said to be a commander in Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) terrorists group, and had been on the radar of the security agency since 2012 when he allegedly had a hand in the attacks on the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone I.
He was also said to be involved in other armed attacks in some other places in Kano.
Mai-Tangaran was said to be involved in the attacks on worshippers at the Kano Central Mosque and a military formation in Yobe State in 2015.
Many lives were lost in the attacks.
Opuiyo, disclosed that the terrorists attacks were to disrupt this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival through the execution of gun attacks and bombings.
The targets of the group were mainly the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states.
