By Ben Agande

Last week, Department of State Services, DSS, informed the public of the arrest of Khalid Al-Barnawi, known for his leadership and notoriety in terrorism activities.

Nigerians were also informed of his recruitment of young people into the Ansaru/Boko Haram terrorist groups.

With the arrest of Al-Barnawi, the Department of State Services, DSS, recorded an uncommon success in the decimation of the groups and their leadership.

arrested: From left— Second-in-Command to Khalid Al-Barnawi of Boko Haram, Bello Danhajiya; suspected fraudsters and impersonators, Aminu Ado, A.K.A Yusha’u Muhammed Yerima Adam; David Michika; Umar Hamza; James Malu Akune and Kazeem Kaode Usman, paraded by Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Similarly, DSS has arrested Bello Danhajiya, a close associate and presumed Second-in-Command to Al-Barnawi.

Danhajiya is a Fulani from Zamfara State and a strategic accomplice of Al-Barnawi.

Preliminary investigations have disclosed his involvement in gun-running, cattle rustling and other criminal activities, principally on the directives of his commander, Al-Barnawi.

So far, efforts are being made to conclude the investigations and commence prosecution, in line with the law.

DSS also arrested some suspects for impersonating and defrauding prominent Nigerians, including General T. Y. Danjuma (rtd).

Worried by the spate of impersonation of government officials and the increasing rate of defrauding of unsuspecting members of the public, DSS launched investigations, which has resulted in the arrest of many suspects.

The suspects include Aminu Ado, A.K.A. Yusha’u Muhammed Yerima Adam; David Ali Michika; Umar Hamza; James Malu Akune; and Kazeem Kayode Usman.

DSS, in a statement by Garba Abdullahi for Tony Opuiyo, said Aminu Ado was arrested on March 24 in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The statement read: “Ado confessed to defrauding Lt. Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (rtd) of N1 million in 2015 and wife of Akwa Ibom State governor of N300,000, in collaboration with one Hajia Aisha, who impersonated the wife of former Gombe State Governor, Danjuma Goje.

“In addition, he confessed to defrauding members of the public by claiming to be the Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the President.

“Investigation revealed that Ado had the mobile phone numbers of all the Federal Executive Council, FEC, members, some state governors, their wives, aides, military and police officers.

“David Ali Michika, a 43-year-old native of Jimeta, Adamawa State, resident at Ungogo council of Kano State once lived in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, for 10 years as an illegal immigrant, until he was deported in 2008.

“He was arrested in Kano for impersonating the Secretary to the Government of The Federation, SGF.

“Michika had called several high-ranking government officials, soliciting for funds to settle spiritualists (Mallams) for prayers rendered for the success of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 general election and for peace in the nation.”