SSS ARRESTS BOKO HARAM MEMBER IN EX-REP’S HOUSE

The State Security Service (SSS) has arrested a Boko Haram member, Hassan Pagi Bukar, at the residence of a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tijani Umara Kumalia.

Bukar is suspected of visiting Abuja to wreak some havoc. The ex-lawmaker was interrogated by the SSS on Friday.

He denied having any link with Boko Haram.

Investigation revealed that the suspect,who has been on the wanted list of security agencies,was arrested at the residence of the ex-lawmaker in Gwarinpa District of Abuja following a tip-off by some people.

A source said of the suspect’s arrest: “ He has been operating in some cells of Boko Haram in Maiduguri and Damaturu. We have been looking for him in the last few months.

“Some of the intelligence reports on him had indicated that he used to source vehicles for Boko Haram for suicide missions.

“We got a tip-off that Bukar had sneaked into Abuja on Thursday for a purpose which we strongly suspected was to drop some bomb explosives. Based on intelligence gathering, we took pre-emptive steps and arrested him at the home of the ex-lawmaker.

“He is with the SSS where he is currently undergoing interrogation. We also quizzed the ex-lawmaker on Friday.”

Continuing the source said: “We are probing clues that Bukar’s brief is to receive hijacked or sourced vehicles from top Boko Haram members, including one Babawo and another called SENIOR and other leaders that are prime targets of security agents.

“Bukar was arrested in the Abuja residence of one Hon. Tijani Umara Kumalia, a 2003-2007 member of the House of Representatives.

“The suspect was picked up with Kumalia’s gateman whom the ex-Rep claimed was employed from Sokoto to guard the house.

“On interrogation, Bukar admitted to his role in the sect.

The source said: “Though Kumaila is not being detained, he is now reporting at scheduled periods to SSS.

“Security agents have since established that almost all vehicles used for suicide bombings by the sect are sourced in one suspicious way or the other.”

The Joint Task Force in the North-East is currently on the trail of the 19 leaders, who were declared wanted in November last year.

A source said: “We are still searching for them; we have not been able to locate any. But with the collaboration of all security agencies, we will succeed.

“We are also working round the clock to protect lives and property in the zone.”

The JTF’s list comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest making body of the sect) and 19 Boko Haram commanders.

Those affected are five members of the Shurra Committee of the sect including, Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai ( N25million); Momodu Bama (N25 million); and Mohammed Zangina (N25million)

The Boko Haram Commanders are Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

Source: The Nation

Source: The Nation