DSS arrests Al-Barnawi’s deputy

The Department of State Security Services (DSS) has arrested one Bello Danhajiya – the second-in-command to Khalid Al-Barnawi, whose leadership and notoriety in terrorism activities in Nigeria had been of great concern to security agencies.

A statement signed by Garba Abdullahi of the DSS in Abuja said that Danhajiya was also engaged in talent-spotting and recruitment of young people into the Ansaru/Boko Haram terrorist groups.

The DSS said that with the two arrests it had made an uncommon success in the decimation of the groups and their leadership, adding that Danhajiya was a close associate and presumed second-in- command to Al-Barnawi.

The DSS said that Danhajiya was a Fulani from Zamfara State and a strategic accomplice of Al-Barnawi.

According to the agency “Preliminary investigations have disclosed his involvement in gun-running, cattle rustling and other nefarious criminal activities principally on the directives of his commander, Al-Barnawi.”

So far, efforts are being made to conclude the investigations and commence their prosecution in line with the law.

In another development, this Service, worried by the spate of impersonation of government officials and the increasing rate of defrauding of unsuspecting members of the public by some unscrupulous elements, had launched detailed investigations across the country on some incidents.

DSS said that its operations had led to the arrest of some suspects including Aminu Ado (aka Yusha’u Muhammed Yerima Adam; David Michika; Umar Hamza; James Malu Akune; and Kazeem Kayode Usman.

The agency said that: David Ali Michika was a 43-year-old from Jimeta, Adamawa State, but resided at Ungogo LGA of Kano State. He once lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for ten years, as an illegal immigrant until he was deported in 2008. He was arrested in Kano for impersonating the Secretary to the Government of The Federation (SGF). He had called several high ranking government officials soliciting for funds to settle spiritualists (Mallams) for prayers rendered for the success of the APC in the 2015 general election and for peace in the nation.

Hamza is a 39-year-old school teacher from Tarauni LGA of Kano State. He was recruited by Michika to act as the spiritualist based in Niger Republic to be paid for the service rendered. He received calls from the victims while pretending to be the spiritualist.

Akune is a 40-year-old male from Tarka LGA of Benue State. He claimed to be a contractor with business interests in China and USA. He paraded himself as the brother to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and defrauded people on false promises of contracts.

He equally arranged to get contract for companies from the victim Support Committee for the North-East, headed by T.Y. Dnajuma. Before his arrest, Akune had called contractors and promised them appointment with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Kazeem Kayode Usman was arrested in Lagos on April 12, 2016. He has been on the trail of security agencies for the impersonation of Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President.

The service regretted that these suspects opened and operated bank accounts through which they collected various sums of money from their victims.