16th May, 2023
Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services, DSS has raised alarm that terrorists displaced during military operations in North East Part of the country are regrouping in the North west and North central to carry out attacks.
DSS revealed this in a a statement on Tuesday announcing arrest five terror suspects in operations it conducted alongside the police and Nigerian Army in terrorists’ hideouts in Kaduna and Kano States on Monday.
A terror suspect also blew himself up with his suicide vest to avoid arrest in Kaduna during the raid.
In the statement signed by Peter Afunaya, its spokesperson, DSS said the raid followed intelligence that high profile terrorist targets were regrouping in the North West to carry out dastardly acts in the area.
“Notably, the steady Military operations in the North East have necessitated the insurgents’ escape to the North West and Central zones where they are establishing active cells,” DSS said in the statement.
It added that the raid on terrorists’ hideout were carried out simultaneously by operatives of the three services in the early hours of Monday in parts of Kaduna and Kano States.
“During the raid in Kaduna State, the terrorists deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) against the fighting forces. One of the terrorists who wore suicide jacket blew himself up.
“While three (3) suspects were arrested, items recovered upon a search on the group’s accommodation, after Police EOD had diffused other IEDs, were: two (2) suicide jackets, one (1) AK-47 rifle, a pistol and one (1) laptop.
“In Kano State, two (2) suspects were arrested while recovered items include: a pistol, eleven (11) mobile phones, two (2) hand grenades, one (1) fully charged AK-47 magazine, two empty AK-47 magazines, one (1) Peugeot 307 car and an ID card belonging to a suspect that escaped,” the DSS said.
“The Service commends the Nigerian Military and Police for their resilience and support which led to the success of the operation. The sustained inter-agency synergy is, without doubt, a game changer in the counter-threat actions,” DSS said in the statement.
DSS also warned in the statement that it will resist attempt to truncate peaceful transfer of power to President- Elect Bola Tinubu on 29, May, 2023 inauguration date.
The Service said it will will work with sister security agencies to resist ‘certain persons’ desperate to undermine the transition process to ensure that the event is ‘seamless’
“Also, the Service wishes to state and very clearly, that it will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to rid the nation of criminal elements particularly at this transition period and even beyond.
“This is more so that certain persons are desperate to undermine the process.
“But the Service will resist this and ensure a seamless event. It will always cooperate with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful environment critical to the pursuit of legitimate businesses by law abiding citizens and residents”, Afunaya said in the statement.