An Abuja Federal High Court has permitted the State Security Service (SSS) to detain ten individuals accused of attempting to establish a Boko Haram/ISWAP cell in Osun State for 60 days, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request after an ex-parte motion was filed by SSS counsel, Y.I. Umar. In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that the application was justified and approved the detention. The judge set 3 March as the next date for mention.
The suspects listed in the motion include Adamu Abubakar (also known as Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi. They were arrested on 16 December 2024 in Ilesa East Local Government Area, Osun State. The motion, dated 18 December 2024, was filed on 20 December 2024 and sought permission to hold the suspects during the investigation.
In an affidavit deposed by Yamuje Benye, an SSS officer from the Legal Services Department at the agency’s national headquarters, it was disclosed that the suspects were apprehended based on credible intelligence. The initial investigation indicated they were affiliated with Boko Haram/ISWAP and were planning to create a terrorist cell in Osun State. Reports also suggested they were undergoing training on how to manufacture and use improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The suspects are believed to be part of a faction linked to the late Abubakar Shekau. They reportedly fled to Osun State to escape military operations in the Sambisa Forest. The SSS argued that their release at this stage could jeopardize efforts to apprehend other members of the group still at large. The agency emphasized that detaining the suspects was critical to maintaining national security.
In a related case, the court also authorized the detention of two other suspects, Ayomide Akintunde and Nurudeen Adesiyan, for 60 days while investigations continue. Justice Nwite granted this order following an ex-parte motion presented by the SSS. The matter was adjourned to 3 March for mention.
According to an affidavit submitted by Mercy Ebo, an SSS officer, Akintunde and Adesiyan were arrested on 19 December 2024 in Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, Osun State. Their arrest followed intelligence from a foreign source linking them to Moroccan terrorists. Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects had been in contact with a Moroccan terrorist currently detained by Spanish authorities. This individual had reportedly engaged with the suspects on jihadist publications and plans to acquire firearms for attacks in Nigeria.
The SSS further stated that the suspects admitted to owning the phone numbers used for the communications for more than ten months. The agency argued that releasing the suspects could undermine the investigation, which has expanded significantly. The SSS added that the suspects were providing crucial information to help track other members of the network, reinforcing the need for their continued detention.
