As Nigerians get ready for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the State Security Service (SSS) issued an alert to the public on Thursday in Abuja.
According to reports reaching the agency, attacks on places of worship and recreational facilities were planned for both before and during the celebrations, according to Peter Afunanya, the agency’s spokesperson.
He claims that the discovery of primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from suspected terrorists during a joint operation by the department and its sister security agencies provides more support for the reports.
He added that on Monday, the agency worked with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to execute raids on criminal hideouts in the states of Kogi and Nasarawa.
In Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, an operation along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway resulted in the arrest of a suspected gunrunner, Mr. Afunanya added.
He claimed that during the operation, 486 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 22 IEDs that had been prepared, N31,500, and one Volkswagen Golf with the license plate RBC202XA were all recovered.
He added that on Thursday, the combined security team conducted a raid at Ejule, in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi, on the hideout of a notorious gang leader who had previously broken the law.
He claimed that the gang boss was killed during a gunfight between the suspect’s gang members and the army, and the other members fled.
Mr. Afunanya added that six locally made weapons, two phones, charms, an AK47 rifle with three fully filled magazines, and other items were found at the scene.
He urged owners and users of public spaces, including markets and malls, to exercise caution and alert the appropriate security services to any suspicious activity or individuals.
Mr. Afunanya gave the assurance that the SSS would continue to work with sister security organizations to conduct the necessary proactive drills to thwart criminals’ plans.
(NAN)
