Islamic State mercenaries storm Nigeria, members arrested in Benue, Kogi, Edo

Some mercenaries linked to the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) have been arrested in some parts of the North and South-South by operatives of Department of State Service (DSS).
Majority of the mercenaries in custody, according to a presidency source, “cannot even speak any Nigerian language”.
He said the DSS has identified the ISWA Network in the North, using foreign terrorists and recruiting some fundamentalists “to kill innocent Nigerians to exacerbate tensions along ethnic, religious and regional lines”.
In fact, a report on how the DSS operatives and other security agents penetrated the ISWA network “in the North and South-South” is already with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some of their Nigerian accomplices arrested included Fulani herdsmen, militias, militants and criminal elements.
“The foreigners among them speak no Nigerian language. They are already in protective custody, heavily guarded, in a secret location in the North”.
Freedom Online learned that Buhari has given the Director-General of DSS, Lawal Musa Daura, “a tall order to get to the root of the matter”.
“Top intelligence officers are already questioning the terrorists with a view to know those financing them,” said the source.
He said further: “I can confidently confirm to you that members of Islamic State in West Africa are operating as a unit in Nigeria and the level of their penetration of the country is, indeed, deep. A good number of the Islamic State terrorists have been arrested not only in the Benue Valley but significantly in several towns in Edo State, specifically in Akoko-Edo, Okpella and Benin as well as in Okene, in Kogi State.
“It is understood that the cell, which has members in various parts of the country, concentrates on recruiting young men to fight for the Islamic State in West Africa by unleashing the cold-blooded murder of innocent citizens.
“There was intelligence that they had planned several attacks here, before and during Christmas and the New Year. Their bombing targets included fuel depots, foreign missions and police and military establishments. Their network is very wide. But so much was achieved by the DSS which has made a significant number of arrests in the last two months that helped to pre-empt those attacks. This helped to save Nigeria from the spate of major terrorist attacks witnessed elsewhere that were syndicated by ISIS worldwide.”
The reports submitted to the presidency have also revealed that security officials now fear an influx of other ISIS members into many parts of the country.
“We are learning more and more about this complex and sophisticated network. This is the main reason DSS is not parading those suspects so far arrested. It has become clear to us by now, that the challenge facing this country is a serious one.”
When contacted, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed the report.
He said: “I can confirm to you that President Muhammadu Buhari has been receiving report upon report on the situation in Benue and other states, with specific reference to this ISWA Network. In fact, the DSS has recorded a lot of success lately. When I get more details, I will brief you”.