17th December, 2014
Abubakar Yusuf, alias Baba Sani, has admitted that he was a former member of the sect and was paid to publicly indict Ali Modu Sherif as a sponsor of the sect.
He said he got N500,000 for the deal.
Yusuf was speaking after the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him and six other negotiators. The other suspects her Junaid Khadi, Saleh Ibrahim, alias Liman Ibrahim, Abdullahi Saleh, a.k.a Babadale, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Mubarak Adamu, a.k.a. Molo and Mustapha Maidugu, a.k.a Musty Small.
The DSS has vowed that it will serve justice to all those who sponsor or partake in the publication of subversive reports against the country.
Ms Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman for the service, made the promise when she showed seven suspects to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said the suspects colluded with Steven Davis, an Australian, to negotiate with Boko Haram sect members.
Ogar said Davis and the suspects were among several other local and international group members who had made mechandise of the Boko Haram insurgency through concocted and fabricated stories.
She added that Davis, through such subversive campaigns, intended to shape political discourse, challenge the nation’s security integrity and stir discontent among Nigerians and her allies in the war against terror.
“We will not rest on our oars until our country is rid of all unwholesome activities,” she said.
Ogar recalled that Davis had on 29 August 2013, alleged that former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and ex-army chief, Lt.-Gen. Azuibike Ihejirika, were among chief sponsors of Boko Haram.
“Davis premised his findings on discussion with several field commanders of the sect who allegedly expressed willingness of the sect to negotiate with the Federal Government if Davis would spearhead the dialogue.
“Based on the allegation, this service initiated an in-depth investigation into the matter.
“Consequently, seven associates of Davis were arrested and it has been established that they were part of a well orchestrated plan to spread falsehood, undermine and discredit efforts of government to end terrorism,” she said.
All the suspects, except one, admitted that they met with Davis at a five star hotel in Abuja, to arrange for the negotiation with the government.