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DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to admit in evidence statements made by three terror suspects accused of spying on American and Israeli interests in Nigeria for certain individuals in Iran.
Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa and Adam Suleiman were arrested in Kano and Lagos in 2013 and were arraigned on terrorism-related charges.
In the course of trial, the defendants objected to the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements they made during investigation, claiming not to have made them voluntarily. This prompted the court to conduct a trial-within-trial.
On Wednesday, lawyers to parties adopted their final written addresses in relation to the trial-within-trial, following which Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned ruling till a date to be communicated to the parties.
Prosecuting lawyer, Bello Abu, while adopting his final written address, took the court through the evidence supplied by the prosecution in the trial-within-trial to establish that the defendants made the statement voluntarily.
The DSS counsel faulted a claim by the defendants that they were compelled to make the statements. He argued that such came as an afterthought.
He prayed the court to admit the statements in evidence and proceed with the substantive trial.
Defence lawyers – Aliyu Yawuri,
Bala Dakun and Bello Ibrahim – argued otherwise, and prayed the court to reject the statements.
According to the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/129/2014, Abbas was said to have been arrested on March 16, 2013 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on his way from Lebanon.
Abbas is accused of recruiting young Nigerians, including Musa and Suleiman, for terrorism training in Iran.
He is also accused of participating in terrorist meetings, and equally alleged to have rendered support to an act of terrorism by agreeing to send persons for terrorist training in Iran.
Abbas is equally accused of “embarking on an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by compiling a list of American and Israeli concerns in Lagos, and their locations in map which included USA Consular office in Lagos and sent them to one Abu Ali in Iran using coded language with encryption software through his email addresses.”
On their part, Musa and Suleiman are charged with “conspiracy to do an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by obtaining Nigeria’s international passport and Iranian visa for the purpose of travelling to Iran for terrorist training.”
They are equally accused of “carrying on an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by carrying out in Abuja, Kano and Lagos surveillance on United States of America and Israeli embassies preparatory to terrorist attack.”
DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists after it successfully repelled a terrorist ambush along the Longlari–Kanama road in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:23 p.m. on March 14 when troops of the 159 Battalion Nigerian Army, B Company, stationed in Kanama, were returning from a routine patrol.
.According to the sources, the troops were ambushed by suspected terrorists along the Longlari–Kanama road near Mairari village.
The troops engaged the terrorists with heavy fire and neutralized several of them forcing many of them fo flee.
Following the encounter, the soldiers conducted exploitation of the general area to track the fleeing insurgents.
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
Zulum Condemns Maiduguri Explosion, Calls for Calm, Vigilance in Worship, Public Places
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned in the strongest terms the explosion that occurred in some parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly, targeting innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the festive period beckons.
“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” said Zulum.
He added, “The recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents.
The Governor, therefore, assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies are on top of the situation, as adequate measures have been taken to forestall any security breach in Maiduguri and the entire state.
He called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities, and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
Zulum Condemns Maiduguri Explosion, Calls for Calm, Vigilance in Worship, Public Places
GOC 8 Division visits troops in Kebbi, urges vigilance in operations
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj. Gen. PB Koughna, has conducted a familiarisation visit to troops deployed in parts of Kebbi State.
During the visit on March 15, the GOC inspected troops of CSI Battalion III at the Forward Operating Base Dirin Daji in Sakaba area of Zuru Local Government Area, as well as personnel of 223 Light Tank Battalion in the state.
The GOC was received by the Commanding Officers of the units, who briefed him on their operational activities and security situation within their areas of responsibility.
Addressing the troops, Maj. Gen. Koughna urged them to remain vigilant, committed and professional in the discharge of their duties.
He also held an operational meeting with the unit commanders, during which issues relating to ongoing operations and prevailing security challenges within their areas of responsibility were discussed.
The visit ended without incident.
GOC 8 Division visits troops in Kebbi, urges vigilance in operations
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Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
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