A Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the Department of State Service, DSS, to detain 10 suspected terrorists for 60 days as investigations continue into their alleged plan to establish a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State.
In his ruling on the ex-parte motion presented by DSS counsel Y.I. Umar, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that the application had merit and granted the request accordingly.
“An order is hereby made enabling the State Security Service /applicant to detain the respondents for sixty,60, days pending the conclusion of investigation,” the judge declared.
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Justice Nwite scheduled the matter for mention on March 3.
The DSS filed the ex-parte motion under reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/1942/V/2024 and listed the suspects as Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, and Katuru Muhammed as the first to fifth respondents. Babakura Mallam Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi were named as the sixth to tenth respondents respectively.
The DSS stated in the motion, dated December 18, 2024, but filed on December 20, 2024, that it sought a single prayer for the detention.
In an affidavit deposed by Yamuje Benye, a DSS official from the Legal Service Department at its national headquarters, the agency claimed the suspects were apprehended in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun on December 16, 2024.
The DSS alleged that the arrests were based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in terrorism and that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were members of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.
“Intelligence at the disposal of the applicant disowned that the respondents were planning to launch a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State;
“That the respondents were arrested while undergoing training on how to manufacture and detonate improvised explosive devices, IEDs,” the DSS stated.
The agency further claimed the suspects were part of the late Abubakar Shekau’s terrorist faction and had relocated to Osun after fleeing Sambisa Forest due to intensified military operations by the Nigerian Army.
The DSS argued that the respondents were cooperating in identifying other members of the terrorist group still at large and warned that releasing them during this stage of investigation could impede ongoing efforts to capture their associates.
The agency also described the suspects’ actions as a significant threat to national security and Nigeria’s stability.
“It is in the interest of justice and national security to grant this application,” the DSS pleaded.
In a related ruling, Justice Nwite granted another DSS application to detain Ayomide Akintunde and Nurudeen Adesiyan for 60 days while investigations into their case continue.
The judge approved the order after DSS counsel Umar presented the motion ex-parte, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1933/V/2024. The matter was adjourned to March 3 for mention.
In an affidavit deposed by Mercy Ebo, the DSS claimed the suspects were arrested on December 19, 2024, by its Tactical Team in Ajape Lane 3, Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area of Osun.
The suspects were reportedly transferred to DSS headquarters following intelligence reports from a foreign service linking them to a Moroccan terrorist.
“Preliminary investigation and intelligence report revealed that a Moroccan terrorist currently in the custody of the Spanish National Police Service communicated with Ayomide Akintunde and Nurudeen Adesiyan using GSM numbers: 08168359934 and 08168542908, respectively.
“That the Moroccan terrorist is being investigated for making jihadist publications and for acquiring firearms with the intent of conducting terrorist attacks against identified targets in Nigeria,” the affidavit stated.
The DSS alleged that the suspects admitted to owning the GSM numbers, which they had used for more than 10 months.
The agency emphasized that releasing the respondents at this time would undermine investigations, which had expanded significantly. It argued for thorough interrogation to prevent the suspects from posing security risks to Nigeria and the world.
The DSS also noted that the suspects were providing crucial information to aid the arrest of other gang members still at large, reinforcing the necessity of the detention order.
Crediblenewsng.com
