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Local security operatives in Lagos yesterday said that they caught six suspected Boko Haram members at the weekend. The suspects, Ibrahim Ali, Abubakar Ahmed, Babagana Ali, Goigoi Kamsalem, Ibrahim Mohammed and Adams, were arrested at three different locations in the state.
The head of the local security group, Mai- Kanuribe of Lagos and Seriki Hausawa of Ijora Kingdom, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, said five of the suspects were nabbed on Friday at Isheri- Ojodu, Berger and Victoria Island. He said the sixth suspect was caught last week at Festac. On how the suspects were recognised to be members of the sect, Mohammed said: “You know we are from Borno State, where these people also hail from.
We know their communities. Our people back home do monitor them, and once they leave Maiduguri, we would be alerted so that we could be on the lookout. Once they arrive any community in Lagos, our members are always on ground to fish them out based on intelligence report.
Once they are arrested, we hand them over to security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.” The suspects were believed to have fled Bama, Baga and Konduga local government areas of Borno State, following military onslaughts on the terrorists in the North-East.
Mohammed said that Ibrahim Ali and Babagana Ali, who hail from Bama and Konduga local government areas respectively, were arrested at Isheri- Ojodu Berger, while Goigoi Kamsalem, Ibrahim Mohammed both from Bama and Abubakar Ahmed of Baga were apprehended in their hideouts on Victoria Island.
According to him, the suspects are now on their way to Maiduguri to be handed over to the troops of the Nigerian Army for further investigation. Mohammed said his group was determined to protect Lagos from the terror of Boko Haram.
Mohammed noted that Lagos was home to many nationalities. He added that he had invested and contributed to the development of the state since 1970 when he moved to Lagos. Mohammed said the security group had presence in 57 local government areas in Lagos and Ogun states.
He added that several suspects had been arrested in the past by his group and were handed over to the director of Department of State Services (DSS), Shangisha, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, or commissioner of police in the state.
Mohammed added that some suspects were transferred to Maiduguri for further investigation and prosecution. He said that it was in recognition of his security activities that a Peugeot patrol vehicle was donated to him by the state director of DSS to aid his operation. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Command, yesterday, said it has arrested two suspected militants, who wanted to attack the mega city.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, the Command arrested two suspects who gained entry into Lagos, through the waterways. She said the suspects were attempting to attack Igando Community, a Lagos suburb, when they were arrested.
The incident occurred barely a week after the United States Embassy in Nigeria warned that terrorists were likely going to attack the state. Also acting on intelligence report, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, last week, had brainstorming sessions with law enforcement agents, leading to beefed up of security in Lagos. According to the intelligence reports, major hotels, Mile 12 Market, Third Mainland Bridge and Computer Village were likely targets of attacks.
Yesterday, Badmos said that the suspects were nabbed on Thursday and three guns and ammunition recovered from them. She added: “Some residents of Igando alerted the police of the attempted attack by the suspected militants, who came in a boat through the waterways. Immediately, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, deployed his men to the area.
Two suspects were arrested with some weapons. We’re working with every available clue to get more suspects.” According to Badmos, the security of the area had been beefed up. She further said that the Command had begun investigation into the attempted attack. Her words: “The police will find out who they are, where they came from and their mission. We advise members of the public in the area and other parts of the state not to panic as the police are on top of the situation.”
