At the heart of the investigation is the controversial payment of $496 million to Global Steel Holdings Limited, an Indian company, as settlement for the termination of the long-troubled Ajaokuta Steel Company concession.
The Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe road is a vital link between the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, Itakpe Iron Ore Mining Company, and the Abuja–Lokoja–Okene expressway.
The gunmen had targeted two buses, but the second vehicle managed to escape. Moments after the attack, Nigerian Army troops responded swiftly, engaging the bandits in gunfire and forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes.
The suspect, who is also accused of leading a gang that later carried out a violent raid on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State killing several people and carting away large sums of money faces six terrorism-related charges.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, a top commander of the Ansari terrorist group and alleged architect of the August 7, 2012, mass shooting at a Deeper Life Bible Church near Okene, Kogi State.
