Nigeria secret police say they arrested terrorists who wanted to kill former military ruler

Bashir Adigun, The Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigeria's secret police say they've broken up a group backed by Iranian terrorists who wanted to assassinate a former military ruler.

In a statement Wedesday, Marilyn Ogar of the State Security Service said there had been three arrests. Ogar said the leader of the group travelled to Iran, received weapons training and later was assigned to grow a terrorist network in Nigeria.

Ogar offered no details about the Iranians who backed the group, nor how far along the group's plans were. She said that the men planned to kill former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, as well as a former Sultan of Sokoto, a major Muslim figure in the country.

Ogar said the group's Nigerian leader also was ordered to provide information about American and Israeli interests there.