The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has given the State Security Service the go-ahead to detain 10 suspected terrorists, who had planned to launch a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun, for 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the ex parte motion moved by SSS lawyer Y.I. Umar held that the application was meritorious and was accordingly granted.

“An order is hereby made enabling the State Security Service (aka SSS)/applicant to detain the respondents for 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation,” he ruled.

Mr Nwite adjourned the matter until March 3 for mention.

The SSS had, in the motion ex parte marked FHC)ABJ/CS/1942/V/2024, listed Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, and Mustapha Abacha Katuru Muhammed as first to fifth respondents.

The security agency also listed Babakura Mallam Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi as the 6th to 10th respondents, respectively.

The SSS sought one prayer in the motion dated December 18, 2024, but filed on December 20, 2024. In the affidavit deposed to by Yamuje Benye, an agent of the agency attached to the Legal Service Department at the national headquarters, the SSS averred that the suspects were arrested in Ilesa 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.

“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,” it said.

The agency alleged that the suspects were members of the late Abubakar Shekau terrorist group, who escaped from Sambisa Forest to Osun because of the series of onslaughts being carried out by the Nigerian Army against them.

It said the respondents are aiding the applicant to unravel other members of the terrorist group who are still at large.

According to the SSS, releasing the respondents at this stage of the preliminary investigation will be detrimental to the applicant’s efforts to arrest other members of the terrorist group.

It said the activities of the respondents constitute a potent threat to national security and corporate existence in Nigeria. “It is in the interest of justice and national security to grant this application,” it prayed.

In a related development, Mr Nwite equally granted an order enabling the SSS to detain Ayomide Akintunde and Nurudeen Adesiyan for a period of 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The judge made the order after Mr Umar, who also appeared for SSS, moved the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1933/V/2024 to the effect.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until March 3 for mention.

In the affidavit deposed by Mercy Ebo, the SSS averred that the suspects were arrested on December 19, 2024, by the Service Tactical Team at Ajape Lane 3, Modakeke, Ife East LGA of Osun.

The agency said they were, thereafter, transferred to its headquarters over an intelligence report from a foreign intelligence service, linking them with Moroccan terrorists.

“Preliminary investigation and intelligence reports revealed that a Moroccan terrorist currently in the custody of the Spanish National Police Service communicated with Ayomide Akintunde (F) and Nurudeen Adesiyan on GSM numbers 08168359934 and 08168542908, respectively.

“That the Moroccan terrorist is being investigated for making jihadist publications and for the acquisition of firearms with the intent of conducting terrorist attacks against identified targets in Nigeria,” it said.

It said a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects admitted ownership of the identified GSM numbers, which they had used for more than 10 months.

According to the agency, the release of the respondents at this time would jeopardise the investigation, as the investigation has assumed a wider dimension.

The SSS said there was a need for a thorough investigation of the suspects to ensure they do not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world.

It said the suspects are helping with vital information that would lead to the arrest of other members of the gang who are at large, hence the need to grant the application.

(NAN)