‘Boko Haram spies’ arrested – Nigeria military

The headquarters of 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bauchi, has arrested 4 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists spies, the spokesperson for the Army, Sani Usman, has said.

Those arrested include a man believed to have carried out surveillance on the Madalla church before it was bombed, Mr Usman, a colonel, said in a statement.

The men, Victor Moses, Abubakar Shettima, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Sadiq Madaki, the army alleged, have carried out surveillance mission for the Boko Haram terrorists on target for suicide bombings or attacks.

Mr. Usman added, ”Luck ran out for them when Victor Moses went to a mosque in Bauchi and pretended that he wanted to be converted to Islam and the people suspecting that he was not genuine, promptly reported the matter.

”On interrogation he confirmed that he was working for an Islamic cleric in Gombe (now at large) and that their point of contact was Abubakar Shetima based in Jos. He confessed to casing targets for suicide bomb attacks including that of the Catholic Church Madalla, Suleja, Niger State on Christmas day, 25th December 2011.

”The accused persons are currently undergoing further interrogation, and were paraded by the Commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Abraham Dusu at the Brigade’s Headquarters, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi on Monday.”