Nigerian security agencies have fingered a co-owner of two major businesses in the nation’s capital as a ring leader in a secret terrorist network in the country.
In a statement by the spokesman of the Joint Task Force in Kano, Ikedichi Iweha, Fauzi Fawad, the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket (located in Wuse, Abuja and one of the largest in the FCT) and Wonderland Amusement Park (FCT’s biggest and most popular park), was named as a member of a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist cell in Nigeria.
The JTF said Mr. Fawad’s name came up in a confession by “all those arrested,” for being in possession of heavy weapons, and other terrorism related activities.
According to the JTF, Mr. Fawad is now at large.
Meanwhile, the JTF said it arrested three Lebanese suspected of owning the large cache of arms recovered at a bunker in the city.
The Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, Nigerian Army, Iliyasu Abba, said one of the suspects was arrested on Tuesday at a house on Gaya Road in Bompai area of Kano.
He said another suspect was arrested in Abuja while the third suspect had been apprehended since May 16, at Aminu Kano International Airport, enroute Beirut, Lebanon.
“The one arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport had a sum of 60,000 US dollars in his possession”.
He said one Abdullahi Hassan Tahir Padalla, who was the owner of the house in which one of the suspect was arrested was still at large.
The commander said among the weapons discovered during the operation on Tuesday were 17 AK 47 rifles, 44 magazines, four land mines and 12 RPG bombs, 14 RPG charger, 11 66 mm anti-tanks weapons, one SMG magazine, one pistol and magazine.
Also, 11, 433 rounds of 7.26 mm special, 76 hand grenade, rocket propelled guns, 122 calibre artillery and anti mines weapons were recovered.
“What you are seeing here are weapons of mass destruction in terms of our situation here right now in Nigerian.
“If these things have been brought out only God knows the type of destruction they will cause to innocent persons in the state or in the country,’’ he said.
He attributed the large haul of arms and ammunition to the long term investigation efforts of the Department of State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja.
In a remark, the state Director of the SSS, Bassey Ettang, said that the three suspects had a link to the notorious Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
He said the suspects have for a long time been using the bunker in the house to stockpile arms and ammunition.
He restated the commitment of the SSS and other security agencies to continue with the ongoing war on criminals nationwide.
The SSS has to verify if the business ventures of these guys are not used just as a cover up for their Hezbollah-link activities and to launder money for their real terrorist business in Nigeria. Thank God for a job well done. Do not relent our dear intelligence outfit.
@ George ur very correct my brother, their businesses are just mere facade, these Lebanese are criminals
Why? Why?? Why??? All people are seeking for now is power/money. No regards for human life. Bringing this monster into a peace country like nigeria signal a terrible future. What do these blood money rich people want? We reture their evil plans back to SEnDER
WHAT ARE THE MILITARY WAITING THE SHOULD SWOOP ON THEIR OUTLETS TO FISH OUT THEIR NEFARIOUS DEALINGS. THEIR IS NO HIDDING PLACE FOR TERRORISTS, KUDOS TO JTF FOR THIS SUCCESS RECORDED AND KEEP ON INTENSIFYING YOUR INTELLIGENCE GATHERING THE END OF INSURGENCY IS AT HAND.
The lebanese can not do that without the connivance of Nigerians especially the security personnels.Criminals have been using our security men to perpetrate evil unchecked.Let the government to confiscate all the businesses and property of those involved.Lebanese,Chinese and Indians are commiting lot of crimes here economically,now their saga is taking a new twist.