By Saheed Afolabi
Recently, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hinted about a threat by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram to attack Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina and Zamfara States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
To nip this danger in the bud, the state police command and other security agencies in the state are on their toes to device new tactics to defend the residents.
According to the Command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin in a statement, the police is not unmindful of intelligence reports suggesting that Lagos could be on the radar of some persons planning attacks across the country.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, has placed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Command on high alert. Also placed on alert are all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders, in a bid to ensure that any planned attack is promptly and decisively nipped in the bud.
The police are creating more checkpoints to forestall any kind of attacks that may be imported into the state.
The police have put all boundaries under serious surveillance over the alleged impending attack
“The command is also working closely with other sister security agencies to ensure that no person or group of persons succeed in destabilizing the peace and serenity enjoyed in Lagos,” the CP said in the statement.
Hundeyin added that in all the border towns, persons coming in and going out were under serious surveillance to ensure that there was absolutely no breach of peace in the state.
He, therefore, enjoined residents not to fear, assuring them that all human, material and operational resources had been fully and optimally deployed across the length and breadth of the state.
“Consequent upon the carefully laid down security plans and strategies, all residents of Lagos State are urged to go about their lawful duties without panic or fear.
“Lagos residents are equally enjoined to remain very vigilant and report suspicious movements and persons to security agencies,” he said.
Hundeyin had earlier stated that the police and other security agencies are prepared for any planned terrorists’ attack on Lagos.
Speaking during a Twitter Space webinar, on Saturday, he said: “We are working seriously with other security agencies. The Department of State Services (DSS) keeps sending intelligence reports to us.
“All resources are available. Our equipment has been optimally deployed to ensure that we don’t have any attack in Lagos,” the police spokesman said.
It was discovered that ISWAP was behind the last attack on a military checkpoint in Madalla area on the outskirts of Abuja.
Gunmen had on Thursday night attacked soldiers of the Guards’ Brigade stationed near Zuma rock.
Muhammad Abdullahi, spokesperson to the chairman of Suleja Council in Niger State, had said the gunmen attacked in large numbers and shot sporadically.
Abdullahi added that his friend, who was around the area during the attack, said the attackers killed two military operatives.
According to SITE Intelligence, an American non-governmental organization that tracks Jihadist groups, ISWAP has drawn “closer to the Nigerian capital” with the attack on the military checkpoint.
The development is the second attack attributed to the group last month.
Earlier in July, ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack on a correctional facility in the Kuje council area of FCT. The gunmen had attacked the correctional facility, with hundreds of prisoners — including Boko Haram suspects — said to have escaped.
According to a security source, some individuals have been apprehended for leaking information to terrorists about troops’ locations and movements in and around Abuja. Already, four informants are in the custody of a security agency.
Their arrest followed investigations into the breach of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, on July 5.
The suspects were caught with walkie-talkies, a revolver, knives, amulets, and old Chinese-made phones that do not use data.
An intelligence officer said that they are being interrogated to ascertain their ties with terrorist groups, bandits and other elements.
“While the military has refused to provide updates on the attacks on Kuje Prison and troops at the Bwari and Zuma Rock axis, the joint security task force killed more than 70 armed criminals.”
The operative confirmed that those killed include “dangerous Kuje prison escapees and terrorists.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos PPRO told ECHONEWS that the police could not disclose the number of checkpoints created in the state for security purpose.
He, therefore, urged the residents to report any suspicious person or happening to the nearest security agency.
“They should report any suspicious person or happening to the nearest security agency.”