Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested two terror suspects.
Punch reported that the operatives stormed the Trademore Estate in
the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday and
made the arrest.
The security operatives were said to have shut the entrance and exit gates of the estate while the operation lasted.
Punch gathered that the two suspects said to be siblings were taken into custody on an allegation of terrorism.
This happened less than 24 hours after the United States and the
United Kingdom warned of a possible terror attack in Abuja, especially
targeted at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among
others.
Following this development, the US government has authorised the
departure of its non-essential employees and their families from
Nigeria.
The US State Department announced this in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
Residents of Trademore Estate who spoke to The PUNCH on Wednesday
claimed the operation was carried out by the DSS and some foreign
security operatives.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a resident disclosed that
residents of the estate were practically held hostage during the
operation.
He stated, “We were in our houses when our estate was locked
up. They did not allow us to go out and they didn’t allow people to come
in. Those that came for the operation were DSS and some American
soldiers. What I heard was that they were looking for some suspected
terrorists. When they finished what they were doing, all we saw was that
they drove away with some people from the estate.”
Also, a message on the estate’s Whatsapp platform sighted on
Wednesday by one of our correspondents urged residents to be vigilant
and ensure they know their neighbours.
It partly read, “It’s no longer news that there was a
high-powered sting operation in Phase 3 this afternoon, culminating in a
complete shutdown of our estate. A combination of the American Army and
our DSS team were responsible.
“We are unable to give full details of the reason(s) behind the
operation; however, we can confirm that there was an allegation of
terrorist activities. It is therefore desperately incumbent on every
resident to remain vigilant, know your neighbours and report any
suspicious movement, person or activities to the exco, street reps
and/or the police.
‘’We will continue to do our utmost best to keep the estate
safe for all of us. Everyone is responsible for security and there
should be no iota of abdication of this responsibility.”
When contacted, the Chairman of the Estate, Adewale Adenaike, confirmed the security operation but declined further comment.
He said, “I can confirm to you that DSS personnel and foreign
soldiers visited our estate. You can contact them to get the details of
what happened. Let me, however, use this medium to urge residents to be
calm and vigilant. The rumours of a planned attack on the estate are not
true.”
Calls to the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, were not answered.
He has yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter.
Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told one of our correspondents that,
“All diplomatic corps in Nigeria are protected by the police, and
operatives also protect the embassies. In fact, before now, we have
deployed armoured personnel carriers to protect the US Embassy and
others. Interestingly, the embassies are strategically located in the
Diplomatic Drive and well-fortified.”
Meanwhile, the US in an advisory on Tuesday 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 US Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to
provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Nigeria. The US Consulate
in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to US citizens
in Nigeria.”
Despite the security concerns, schools in Abuja have not been shut
down, the Publicity Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors
of Private Schools, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Paul Edoh, has
confirmed.
It was learnt that some parents had requested the immediate closure
of schools in Abuja until the situation was brought under control.
However, Edoh explained, “Schools have not been closed down,
except for schools within areas like Bwari; not all schools, but schools
in the hinterland. But the Federal Government has been able to see how
to curtail that and the employment of local vigilante groups has also
helped in stamping out the situation.
‘’Private schools within that area are always living in fear.
Public schools are more prone to attack. The security beef-up around the
schools in Abuja is at zero level. I can boldly tell you that you will
hardly see security patrol in some local areas.”
‘’Given the current security situation, and the foreign embassies’
declaration, or perhaps order, it has adversely affected private schools
within the Abuja environs. Now some staff of these embassies have
withdrawn their children from the top big schools in Abuja here,’’ he
disclosed.
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