DSS warns of religious, recreation attacks

A planned attack on a place of worship or a place of recreation before or during the celebration of Eid Kabir has been reported to the Department of State Services.

The service said that the terrorists’ possession of improvised explosive devices, which were recovered from them during joint operations by service, Nigerian Army, and Police forces, provided proof of the attack’s intended target.

The Service’s spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, asked mall operators, among others, to exercise caution in a statement on Thursday.

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According to part of the statement, “On its part, the DSS asks for vigilance before the Eid celebrations more so that reports had indicated plots to attack religious and leisure venues before and during the festivities. The discovery of prepared IEDs among the accused terrorists is evidence of this.

“Operators and customers of public venues, such as marketplaces, malls, etc., are asked to exercise caution and report any suspicious movements or individuals to the appropriate security agency. In order to frustrate criminals and their operations, the Service will continue to work in conjunction with sister agencies.

A gang leader named Kabir Bala was murdered after a gunfight in Kogi as a result of combined operations conducted in the states of Nasarawa and Kogi between June 19 and 22.

“A joint security force made up of the DSS, Nigerian Army, and Police conducted operations in Nasarawa and Kogi States,” the statement stated. The crew caught alleged gunrunner Abubakar Muhammad (also known as Abu Direba) on June 19, 2023, along the Abuja-Keffi Motorway in the Keffi LGA of Nasarawa State. 486 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 22 IEDs that were primed, N31,500, and one Volkswagen Golf with the licence plate RBC202XA were all taken during the operation.

Furthermore, a team stormed Kabir Bala’s (aka Okwo) hideout in Ejule, Ofu LGA, Kogi State, in the wee hours of today, June 22, 2023, as part of another joint operation. Okwo is a known gang boss who has broken the law in the past. Okwo was neutralised by the soldiers after he and his gang members engaged them in a gunfight. While others escaped the area. Three fully loaded magazines for an AK-47 rifle, six locally made weapons, two phones, and charms were among the items found at the scene.