The Department of State Security Service (SSS) has said it has busted a deadly ISIS-linked Boko Haram terrorist gang that had planned to attack the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other western interests in Nigeria.
The DSS in a statement by Tony Opuiyo, said it prevented the fatal attacks between the 25th and 26th March, 2017, halting the malevolent gangs based in Benue State and the FCT, from striking.
Apart from preventing the attack, the DSS said it also arrested the masterminds whose names were given Isa JIBRIL, Jibril JIBRIL, Abu Omale JIBRIL, Halidu SULE and Amhodu SALIFU.
The US embassy in Abuja said it appreciated the DSS’s efforts in “fighting terrorism”, and the US and Nigeria had a “strong partnership in countering violent extremism”.
A UK government spokesman said: “We are grateful for the support we receive from the Nigerian security authorities in protecting UK diplomatic staff and premises in Nigeria. We are in regular contact with the Nigerian security authorities concerning potential threats to UK interests in Nigeria.”
It is unclear why the DSS released details of the alleged plot a few weeks after the arrests.
