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The Department of State Service has arrested the mastermind of the explosion near the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi State.

The explosion had occurred on December 29, 2022, minutes before the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), was to commission a project in the state.

At least four people were said to have died in the attack.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer, DSS National Headquarters, Peter Afunanya, on Wednesday, said the service arrested Abdulmumin Otaru aka Abu Mikdad, and one of his associates, Saidu Suleiman on Tuesday.

He said Otaru sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape, adding that he is receiving treatment at an undisclosed health facility.

The statement read, “The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public that it has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack which occurred on December 29, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the visit of the President to commission some projects.

“The Service 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.”

Afunanya said investigations conducted by the service revealed that Otaru is an ISWAP commander and had links with deadly attacks in the state as well as the Kuje custodial center invasion.

“During investigations, it was ascertained that Otaru was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations:

“i. The 24th June 2022 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;
“ii. The 5th July 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and
“iii. 5th August 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi in which three Indian expatriates were kidnapped. It would be recalled that five persons including one 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 statement added.