The Department of State Services (DSS) has 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.A
According The PUNCH, the arrest was made during an operation was carried out at an old bungalow building close to St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, and Ogbon Idio, Ilesa, in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area of the state.
A team of about 30 DSS operatives carried out the operation, which had been in motion for 90 days.
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The suspects, identified as Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi, were reportedly undergoing training on manufacturing and detonating explosives at the time of their arrest.
According to DSS findings, the suspects are confirmed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP, and preliminary investigations suggest plans for coordinated terror attacks.
However, the arrest came to public attention on January 10, 2025, when the DSS filed an application with the Federal High Court in Abuja to detain the suspects for 60 days.
The operation took 90 days, involving two separate teams from the DSS headquarters.
The first team was deployed to Ilesa in late September 2024, while the second arrived in mid-November 2024.
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However, sources disclosed that the DSS Osun command was excluded from the operation due to fears of compromised intelligence after initial signals on ISWAP activities in Ilesa were reportedly leaked.
The DSS executed the covert operation in Ifofin, Ilesa, Osun State, leading to the arrest of individuals suspected of ties to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The operation, carried out in the early hours without any gunfire, was the result of extensive undercover work and surveillance over several months.
Security sources revealed that the DSS began tracking the suspects in 2023 after receiving intelligence about a potential ISWAP attack on a church in Ilesa.
However, despite an initial setback due to leaked information, the DSS intensified its efforts, which culminated in the December 16 operation.
The suspects were apprehended with materials linked to ISWAP and bomb-making equipment.
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The operation involved tactical teams from outside Osun, who meticulously monitored the suspects’ activities and environment for 30 days before making the arrests.
Meanwhile, those detained, described as wristwatch and accessory vendors, were taken from separate residences in the Ifofin and Ogbon Idio areas of Ilesa.
Residents and community leaders expressed surprise and confusion over the arrests. Many described the suspects as peaceful traders who had lived in the area for years.
Mohammed Borni, a local leader, stated, “We were shocked when they were arrested. We have not seen or heard from them since.”
Another leader, Abba Chellu, disclosed that 11 individuals were arrested in two separate operations.
The incident has heightened concerns among locals, who are now more vigilant.
Some residents, like tailor Bimpe Olaiwola, expressed fear about living among suspected terrorists.
“We have lived peacefully, but now we are more cautious,” she said. Others, such as Tope Niyi, emphasised the need for increased security awareness.
Gov Adeleke commends security operatives, assures residents of safety
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has assured residents of the state of their safety of their lives and proprieties.
Adeleke while hailing the alertness of security operatives in eliminating the threats posed by the susterrorists, orists assured that the security agencies were up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
The governor’s commendation is contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Saturday in Osogbo.
The Governor particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the DSS who had painstakingly monitored the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
In the statement, he said, “This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us.”
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state.”
Governor Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be on alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” Governor Adeleke concluded.
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