The Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday stated arrested Boko Haram Deputy Commander, Khalid Al- Barnawi, was responsible for the bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja on August 26, 2011.
The suspected leader of ANSARU, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, according to the DSS, was also responsible for the kidnapping and killing of 10 foreigners.
A statement by DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, recalled that Barnawi was apprehended on 1st April 2016, in Lokoja, Kogi State, while hiding under a false cover.
It reads: “Al-Barnawi was a founding member of the Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid Da’wah Wa’l-Jihad (Boko Haram) and later the Amir of the break-away faction, Jama’at Ansarul Muslimim Fi Biladi Sudan (JAMBS).
“He is a trained terrorist commander, who has been coordinating terrorist activities in Nigeria, while talent-spotting and recruiting vulnerable young and able Nigerians for terrorist training by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in North African States and the Middle-East.
“He was involved in many terrorist attacks in States of the Federation, including Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto and FCT-Abuja. This resulted in the killing and maiming of innocent citizens of this country.
“Al-Barnawi is also responsible for the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja, on 26th August, 2011; the kidnapping of two European civil engineers in Kebbi State in May, 2011, and their subsequent murder in Sokoto State; the kidnap of a German engineer, Edgar RAUPACH in January, 2012, the kidnap and murder of seven expatriate staff of Setraco Construction Company at Jama’are, in Bauchi State in February, 2013; the attack of Nigerian troops at Okene in Kogi State, while on transit to Abuja for an official assignment.”
The statement stated the suspect would soon be charged to court after investigation is completed.
It added that the arrest is a major milestone in the counter-terrorism fight.
“This arrest has strengthened the Service’s resolve that no matter how long and far perpetrators of crime and their sponsors may run, this Service in collaboration with other sister security agencies, will bring them to justice.”
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