Boko Haram caught amongst Keke Riders, Hawkers, Shoe Makers in - Abuja

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Investigations revealed that Boko Haram members have taken up menial jobs, such as Keke riders, hawkers, shoe makers in Abuja to cover-u.


IN ABUJA — Security agents have uncovered new methods of operations by Boko Haram terrorists in Abuja. Investigations revealed that the insurgents have taken up menial jobs, such as cobblers (shoe makers), Keke NAPEP (tricycle) operators and sachet (pure) water sellers, as cover.

The undercover operatives of Boko Haram were said to have also recently targeted Abuja suburbs, including the Jikwoyi Police Station, a church and a major commercial bank in Kurudu, had also planned to assassinate a policewoman living in the vicinity of the police station.

Vanguard learnt that the covert operations of the sect, as detailed by the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and the Director of State Security, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong were, however, frustrated due to undercover operations by security agents.

Details of the failed Boko Haram attacks were made to the Senate Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence, and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, which investigated the killing of eight persons at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja last year.

According to the report obtained by Vanguard, General Ihejirika confirmed to the committee that Boko Haram terrorists had increased activities in places around Abuja Apo, Karu, Mararaba and Suleja.

Sect’s movement to Abuja

The army chief said the increase of the insurgents’ activities followed security operations in the North-East, which forced the insurgents to relocate to Abuja.

The report submitted to the Senate before the yuletide break disclosed that Mr. Ekpenyong told the Joint Senate Committee that the terrorists had targeted the Nigerian Police Station, Jikwoyi; a Church in Kurudu; First Bank Plc, Kurudu and planned the assassination of a Policewoman that resides in Kurudi, Abuja.

He said the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Alhassan Ahmed, temporarily disrupted the sect’s plan to attack Abuja.

He also disclosed how the Department of State Services received intercepts indicating planned attack of Abuja and how a member of the sect, Shamsu, popularly known as GOC, from Potiskum in Yobe State, had allegedly informed his associate, Suleiman Musa, who resides around Federal Capital Development Authority Quarters, Yauri Street, Maitama, Abuja, of his plans to acquire items suspected to be riffles from an undisclosed source for possible attacks.

Intercepts

Ekpenyong was further quoted in the committee report as saying “as a result of the continuous inflow of intercepts, which revealed that an attack was imminent in the FCT, the Service through technical intelligence and geo-location operations, arrested two suspects namely Mohammed Adamu and Kamal Abdullahi, September 18, 2013 near a mosque at Old Market, Garki, Abuja.

“The analysis of Call Data Record, CDR, revealed that Adamu was in constant telephone communication with Suleiman Musa. The intercepts had link with a plot to attack the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

“The intercepts so far received after the raid at Apo have revealed that security forces have effectively disrupted another planned attack in the FCT.

“So far, the Service has launched several operations against the Boko Haram sect in the FCT. But for obvious security reasons, the operations were being conducted discreetly and professionally to avoid unduly heightening public apprehension.”

… as Canada designates sect terrorist organisation

Abuja— Canada has formally designated Boko Haram and the Caucasus Emirate as terrorist organisations under the country’s Criminal Code.

Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Steven Blaney, made the announcement in a statement dated December 30 in Ottawa and posted on the ministry’s website.

It said: “Boko Haram is an organisation that is responsible for over 300 attacks in Northern Nigeria, which have resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.

“The Caucasus Emirate has carried out terrorist activities in Russia, resulting in the death and injury of many Russian civilians and security personnel.”

It quoted Blaney as saying that listing these organisations as terrorist entities sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated.

It added that the list would facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators and supporters of terrorism, as well as countering terrorist financing.

According to the statement, under Canada’s Criminal Code, any person or group listed may have their assets seized and forfeited.

It said there may be severe penalties for persons and organisations that dealt in the property or finances of a listed entity.

“It is a crime to knowingly participate in, or contribute to, any activity of a listed entity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the entity to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity,” it added.