The Department of State Services in Nigeria has arrested two commanders of the Islamic State in West Africa at Kukuntu village, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, the suspects, Bashiru Adams and Rufai Sajo, were picked up May 5, after special operations.
He said that in a related operation on April 28, the service also arrested one Umar Dogo, a suspected member of ISWA at Muda Lawal market in Bauchi.
The announcement followed a report within the week that the Islamic State was sneaking jihadists into Nigeria from Syria.
Opuiyo said the suspects had concluded plans to disseminate the ideals of the group in the area, and in collaboration with Boko Haram, carry out violent attacks on innocent persons.
The operative said that following intelligence reports, two experts in Improvised Explosive Devices Adamu Hassan (aka Bale) and Abubakr Abubakar (aka Alhaji or Buba), were arrested.
Opuiyo said that between May 9 and 29, several associates of alleged kidnapper, Terwase Akwasa (aka Ghana) were also arrested at various locations in Benue, and that three suspects, Ada James, Tikaa Desmond and Joseph Ikpa, were arrested with a Toyota Venza Sport Utility Vehicle.
He said that in another operation in Katibu village, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba, a joint team of the service, military and police encountered 100 armed herdsmen, and that “during the confrontation, 10 herdsmen were killed and several others escaped with bullet wounds.”