A joint operation of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency, the police and other security agencies has reportedly dismantled a terror cell. In the aftermath, five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and 30 fighters were arrested.
The terror suspects were said to have been apprehended at their hideouts in different locations in Abuja, Mararaba and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to The PUNCH, the suspects were being held at a DSS facility.
The arrests were made amid heightened tension in Abuja, nation’s capital as the popular Jabi Lake Mall shut its doors to shoppers and visitors on Thursday, citing the security situation.
To discourage criminal activities, the FCT Administration demolished shanties on Nigerian Law School land, saying it was part of security measures.
The United Kingdom also issued a fresh security alert warning British nationals against visiting Abuja and 14 other states.
This further sparked anxiety among residents as many stayed away from work, while vehicular traffic was unusually light.
The United States Mission and the British High Commission also suspended consular services.
But the counter-intelligence operations, which netted the suspected militants, continued on Thursday with more arrests. It was said to have the backing of the US security and intelligence agencies.
The number of additional suspects that were picked up during the Thursday raid could not however be confirmed as at the time of this report.
It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks.
The US Embassy in Abuja had issued an alert for “an elevated risk of terror attacks” in the city, saying that possible targets include government buildings, places of worship and other public places.
In response to this development, the US government authorised the departure of its non-essential employees and their families from Nigeria.
The US State Department in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening said: “On October 25, 2022, the Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks”.
The British High Commission in Nigeria also took a similar step and restricted entry to its premises in an updated terrorism alert.
On Monday, security operatives arrested two terror suspects at Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of Abuja.
Security sources explained that the ISWAP members relocated to the FCT following the heavy bombardment of their enclaves and camps in the North-West by the Nigerian Air Force.
Giving more insight into the ongoing counter-intelligence operations, a security source revealed that the terror suspects were planning a big attack in Abuja before they were nabbed.
Detained fighters were said to be providing useful information which had led to the arrest of some of their members masquerading as artisans, cart pushers and security guards in the city.
A senior officer said: ‘’A massive counter-intelligence operation is going on to disrupt, neutralise and destroy the ISWAP terrorists in the FCT. Many commanders and their foot soldiers have been arrested and they are currently helping us in our investigations. About five commanders and 30 fighters have been apprehended but we expect to capture more suspects as we widen our dragnet”.’
The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said he had not been briefed on the arrest of the terrorists when one of our correspondents contacted him.
The Director of Defence Information, Major Jimmy Akpor did not pick up calls to his line and has yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter.
In another update on Wednesday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) again restated its warning of an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.
Despite the assurances of the Federal Government that the security agencies had a handle on the security situation, the British Government cautioned its nationals against travel to the FCT and 14 other states in the country.
The travel advice was made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, underscoring the gravity of the state of affairs.
The statement read: “FCDO has updated its travel advice on 26th October to British nationals. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja.
‘’The updated advice outlines that there is an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja. British nationals are advised to stay alert, avoid non-essential travel within the city and follow the local news and the advice of security authorities.
“The British High Commission remains open for essential services. The travel advice will constantly be reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria. FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad.
“Other states in Nigeria where we advise against all but essential travel include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20 kilometre of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states”.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has urged residents of Abuja to be vigilant.
In a statement on Thursday evening by Force spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Olumuyiwa Adejobi released some telephone numbers, which he advised residents to call in case of an emergency.
He said: “He (the IG) similarly directed that all emergency numbers across the country should be activated to full capacity for a 24/7 prompt response with combatant officers and men on standby to respond in case of emergencies and distress calls.
“Residents within the FCT are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence and persons to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.
“The IG, therefore, allays the fear of residents in the FCT and admonishes them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements as all hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly”.
Sequel to the heightened security alert, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has reclaimed parts of the Nigeria Law School’s land taken over by suspected criminals in Bwari town.
The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Mr Attah Ikharo, who supervised the exercise, said the shanties on the land were pulled down to restore sanity in the area.
He said the exercise was one of the measures adopted by the Administration to curb insecurity across the territory, adding that it would not be limited to the area alone
The minister’s aide stated, ‘’The demolition exercise would be a comprehensive one, starting from Bwari Law School, near Kuchiku-Bwari down to Bwari main market. Pulling down the illegal structures here in Bwari is part of our measures to curb insecurity across the territory. This area along the law school stretches down to Bwari market; all the attachments and shanties on the road corridor must go. Some persons in Bwari may see it as a lawless place because, for long, there was no major clean-up”.’
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao on Thursday disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force would take delivery of additional fighter helicopters in December 2022 while other new acquisitions would be delivered in 2023.
Source: The PUNCH
