WATER-TIGHT
security is now being mounted in all the six states of the South-West zone of
the country amidst tension following Thursday’s arrest in Lagos of a Chadian and
another suspect, believed to be members of the dreaded Islamic set, Boko Haram.
The suspects were arrested with bombs, arms and ammunition following a tip-off
in a joint operation of the military and the State Security Service (SSS).
security is now being mounted in all the six states of the South-West zone of
the country amidst tension following Thursday’s arrest in Lagos of a Chadian and
another suspect, believed to be members of the dreaded Islamic set, Boko Haram.
The suspects were arrested with bombs, arms and ammunition following a tip-off
in a joint operation of the military and the State Security Service (SSS).
An impeccable Source told the Saturday
Tribune in Abuja on Friday that the security measure became necessary following
intelligence reports that the sect planned to launch attacks on some major
towns in the zone.
Tribune in Abuja on Friday that the security measure became necessary following
intelligence reports that the sect planned to launch attacks on some major
towns in the zone.
The SSS had, last month, arrested a
middle-aged man who was charged with the responsibility of recruiting and
training would-be members of the Boko Haram sect in the South-West, with
emphasis on Lagos and its environs.
middle-aged man who was charged with the responsibility of recruiting and
training would-be members of the Boko Haram sect in the South-West, with
emphasis on Lagos and its environs.
The suspect, who was said to have
connections with Iranian terrorist groups and was also to establish cells for
the group in the zone, had succeeded in recruiting some followers before he was
apprehended, along with four others, who were later paraded before newsmen.
connections with Iranian terrorist groups and was also to establish cells for
the group in the zone, had succeeded in recruiting some followers before he was
apprehended, along with four others, who were later paraded before newsmen.
Thursday’s operations at the Ijora Badiya,
Lagos Mainland in Lagos, accordingly to the source, was part of efforts being
made by the SSS in conjunction with other security agencies to checkmate the
activities of the sect from spreading to the South-West because of its
political, social and economic implications on the country in general.
Lagos Mainland in Lagos, accordingly to the source, was part of efforts being
made by the SSS in conjunction with other security agencies to checkmate the
activities of the sect from spreading to the South-West because of its
political, social and economic implications on the country in general.
“We are on top of the situation; there is
no cause for any fear. We have been on the trail of the sect since last year.
We learnt that they wanted to establish cells in Lagos for coordinated attacks
on public places and some very important individuals in the society. We
monitored them and we got one suspect arrested and he later confessed. Since
then, we have been on our toes,” a very senior security operative told Saturday
Tribune on Friday.
no cause for any fear. We have been on the trail of the sect since last year.
We learnt that they wanted to establish cells in Lagos for coordinated attacks
on public places and some very important individuals in the society. We
monitored them and we got one suspect arrested and he later confessed. Since
then, we have been on our toes,” a very senior security operative told Saturday
Tribune on Friday.
The source further hinted that all manners
of security measures, which he declined to mention, were being put in place by
all the security agencies in order to make the South-West zone a no-go area for
members of the sect and their foreign collaborators.
of security measures, which he declined to mention, were being put in place by
all the security agencies in order to make the South-West zone a no-go area for
members of the sect and their foreign collaborators.
Meanwhile, the suspected Chadian and one
member of the sect nabbed in the Ijora Badiya, Lagos raid are currently
undergoing intensive interrogation.
member of the sect nabbed in the Ijora Badiya, Lagos raid are currently
undergoing intensive interrogation.
As at press time, neither the SSS nor the
police was willing to make any official statement yet on the development
because of the sensitivity of the matter.
police was willing to make any official statement yet on the development
because of the sensitivity of the matter.
In the Thursday raid in Lagos, the SSS and
military operatives recovered bomb, AK-47 rifles, arms and ammunition in the
Chadian’s apartment, which he reportedly hired a month ago.
military operatives recovered bomb, AK-47 rifles, arms and ammunition in the
Chadian’s apartment, which he reportedly hired a month ago.
Security sources told Saturday Tribune on
Friday that searchlights were being beamed on key communities particularly Sabo
settlements in towns in the zone to “avoid infiltration by undesirable
elements.”
Friday that searchlights were being beamed on key communities particularly Sabo
settlements in towns in the zone to “avoid infiltration by undesirable
elements.”
A reliable State Security Service
(SSS) source in one of the South West states told the Saturday Tribune that the
service had always put enough measures in place to counter any plot against
public peace and security.
(SSS) source in one of the South West states told the Saturday Tribune that the
service had always put enough measures in place to counter any plot against
public peace and security.
“What happened in Lagos on Thursday was an
eye opener to all of us, including members of the public, to be alert.
Landlords and estate agents should scrutinise, carefully, persons who want to
rent apartments from them.
eye opener to all of us, including members of the public, to be alert.
Landlords and estate agents should scrutinise, carefully, persons who want to
rent apartments from them.
“What needs to be done now is more
sensitization among the people so that they will be more security conscious. We
are closely in touch with religious leaders and community heads for close
monitoring of their environments for early detection of criminals,” he said.
sensitization among the people so that they will be more security conscious. We
are closely in touch with religious leaders and community heads for close
monitoring of their environments for early detection of criminals,” he said.
The security source hinted that Security
Council meetings in the South West states would dwell more on the new threats,
in days to come.
Council meetings in the South West states would dwell more on the new threats,
in days to come.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2
Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Ahmed Jubrin could not
be reached yesterday as he was said to be on tour of military formations in
parts of Kwara State.
Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Ahmed Jubrin could not
be reached yesterday as he was said to be on tour of military formations in
parts of Kwara State.
A military source who declined comments,
however, hinted that the armed forces were actively collaborating with other
security forces to prevent the spread of terrorism to the South West which had
so far enjoyed some measure of peace.
however, hinted that the armed forces were actively collaborating with other
security forces to prevent the spread of terrorism to the South West which had
so far enjoyed some measure of peace.
Oyo State police commissioner, Mr. Mohammed
Indabawa told the Saturday Tribune that he would not disclose the measures
being put in place to counter any ugly move by terrorists.
Indabawa told the Saturday Tribune that he would not disclose the measures
being put in place to counter any ugly move by terrorists.
He, however, counselled that people should
be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their neighbourhood to law
enforcement agents.
be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their neighbourhood to law
enforcement agents.
Source: Vanguard
