The Department of State Service (DSS) has arrested seven members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram including a commander over the killing of Sheikh Auwal Adam Albani , his wife and son recently.
They were murdered on February 1, 2014, in cold-blood at Gwagwaje area of zaria, Kaduna state while the Sheikh was returning from a preaching session at Markaz Salafiyya Centre.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the spokesperson for DSS, Marylin Ogar, said consequent upon the investigation launched immediately after the killing, seven masterminds have been arrested.
Those arrested are: Yakub ABDULLAHI (a.k.a Alhaji Bala/Alhaji Kano Yakub Bulunkutu), Ibrahim SHUAIBU (a.k.a Kawal Abu Amar), Bilyaminu USMAN, Sahabi ISMAIL, Umar FAROUK, Yasir Ibrahim SALIHU; and Musa ABUBAKAR.
According to Ogar, “Investigation and confessions by suspects revealed that AlBANI’s pro-western posture and his preaching are contrary to the Boko Haram ideology.
“It was this hatred that culminated in a meeting by members of the sect, under the leadership of Yakub ABDULLAHI at Hayin Danmani in Rigasa area of Kaduna, where ABDULLAHI declared that the Shura Council (the highest decision making body) had ordered the killing of AlBANI. “Consequently, on 23rd January, 2014, an attempt to strike at the cleric failed, as he was said to have travelled.
“He was subsequently placed on surveillance, and on 1st February 2014 he was tracked by members of the Boko Haram sect to Markaz Salafiya Centre, where they waited for him till the end of the programme, trailed him and eventually murdered him, his wife and son, while other occupants of the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Meanwhile, KABIRU (fnu) got killed while attempting to snatch the weapon of a security operative during the course of his arrest.
“In conclusion, investigation is still ongoing with a view to unveiling other members of the sect operating in the Kaduna/Niger axis. The suspects will soon be charged to court.
“It is important to state here that all Nigerians must join hands with security agencies to fight the scourge of terrorism, as it has no defined boundaries of religion, tribe, or political consideration”.
