By Evelyn Okakwu
The Department of the State Security Service (DSS) said it has uncovered evidence that indicts an aide to the Borno State governor, Kasim Shettima. This is as the department described as false and subversive, allegations against former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika of involvement with terrorist activities.
Addressing a team of journalists yesterday in Abuja, spokesperson of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar, said following the allegations by a certain Steven Davis, described as an Australian self-styled negotiator, the DSS embarked upon an in-depth investigation which led to the arrest of seven persons and revealed the allegations as false.
“Based on the allegations, the service initiated an in-depth investigation into the matter. Consequently, seven associates of Davis were arrested and it has been established that they were a part of a well-orchestrated plan to spread falsehood, undermine and discredit efforts of government to end terrorism.
She said those arrested were Junaid Idrisa Khadi, a 45 years old man, who was until his arrest, an aide to the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettimah. Others were Abubakar Yusuf, Salah Alhaji Ibrahim, Abduallahi Saleh, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Mubarak Adamu and Mustapha Maidugu.
She said Khadi had mentioned, during his confession; a certain Aisha Wakil, whom he described as a wife to a famous Justice in charge of crime cases in the state, as a major link to Boko Haram. He said although he knew Davis since 2006, he had at no time discussed with him about Ihejirika’s involvement in terrorism. That in fact, the military helmsman had no link to the matter.
She also said that Khadi had confessed to been deliberately involved in an attempt to blackmail and implicate former Borno governor Ali Modu Sheriff; that he had organised several meetings with purported Boko Haram members, along with Davis in Abuja.
Khadi, while addressing press men, however maintained that to the best of his knowledge, the men arrested with him were suspected members of the sect and that although he had known Davis for so long, he had at no time collected money from anyone, in the process of his involvement in the matter.
Another suspect, Abubakar Yusuf, however confessed to have received the sum of N10,000 from Khadi which they used to purchase their turbans.
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