Abubakar Yusuf arrested by the security for blackmailing Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, made a breaking confession.
The 7 men were allegedly the associates of Stephen Davis, the Australian negotiator who accused Ijehirika and Sheriff of sponsoring Boko Haram.
Yusuf confessed under the interrogation that he had been paid N500,000 to publicly indict the former governor, P.M. News reports.
The Department of State Security (DSS) spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, as she showed the suspects to the journalists in Abuja yesterday, confirmed that they had colluded with the Australian.
Ogar also disclosed that Davis with his actions plotted to shape political discourse and stir discontent among Nigerians involved in the dire war against insurgency.
“We will not rest on our oars until our country is rid of all unwholesome activities… 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.”
The arrested suspects admitted meeting with Davis in an Abuja hotel to arrange for the negotiation with the government.
Meanwhile Borno State governor Kashim Shettima, whose aide was also arrested, shifted responsibility onto ex governor Sheriff. According to Shettima, his predecessor appointed the suspect as his aide, when in the office, and pleaded that the aide be retained when he left.