These suspects have been accused of planning to establish a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State, southwest Nigeria.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Department of State Services (DSS) the green light to detain 10 individuals suspected of terrorism for 60 days.
These suspects have been accused of planning to establish a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State, southwest Nigeria.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after DSS lawyer Y.I. Umar presented a motion. The court ruled that the DSS has legal grounds to hold the suspects for 60 days while the investigation is ongoing.
This decision is similar to a previous case where the court approved a 60-day detention for a man linked to ISIS, citing Section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“An order is hereby made enabling the State Security Service (aka DSS)/applicant to detain the respondents for sixty (60) days pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the court ruled.
The court later adjourned the matter until March 3 for mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS had in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC)ABJ/CS/1942/V/2024, listed Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha Katuru Muhammed as 1st to 5th respondents.
The security agency also listed Babakura Mallam Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru and Muhammed Bundi as the 6th to 10 respondents respectively.
The DSS, in the motion dated December 18, 2024, but filed on December 20, 2024, sought one prayer.
The DSS, in the affidavit deposed to by Yamuje Benye, personnel of the agency attached to the Legal Service Department at the national headquarters, averred that the suspects were arrested in llesa East LGA in Osun.
It said they were arrested on December 16, 2024, upon reasonable suspicion of their involvement in terrorism.
The security outfit said preliminary investigation revealed that the respondents were members of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.
The affidavit reads: “Intelligence at the disposal of the applicant revealed that the respondents were planning to launch a Boko Haram /ISWAP cell in Osun State;
“That the respondents were arrested while undergoing training on how to manufacture and detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs).”
According to the agency, the suspects were affiliated with the terrorist group formerly led by Abubakar Shekau. They reportedly fled from Sambisa Forest to Osun State due to the military operations being conducted by the Nigerian Army against them.
It said the respondents were aiding the applicant to unravel other members of the terrorist group still at large.