The Department of State Services (DSS) said yesterday that it had foiled a plot by terrorists to kill and maim innocent Nigerians across the country during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr.
Official confirmation of the Eid day is still being awaited.
The terrorists, according to the DSS, planned to bomb Sallah prayer grounds and other soft targets, including markets, motor parks, public processions and recreation centres in major cities.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
Found in their possession and seized by the agency are 27 hand grenades, eight AK-47 rifles, 20 fully loaded AK-A7 magazines,793 rounds of live ammunition, one gas cylinder, three laptops, manuals, a printer, one motorcycle and a GSM handset.
One of the suspects, Bashir Mohammed, was arrested at Unguwar Barnawa in Kumbatso Local Government Area, Kano State on Tuesday.
It was from him the agency recovered the hand grenades and exhibits, according to the acting spokesman for DSS, Nnana Nnochi.
The DSS described Basir, who is in his 20s, as an explosive expert and co-ordinator of the planned attacks.
His accomplices, according to the security agency, include Yusuf Adamu and Abdumuminu Haladu, both of who were picked up in Sokoto yesterday.
The agency said their arrests were a confirmation of the terrorists’ plans to cause mayhem in Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri.
Nnochi said: “In the past few weeks, this service has uncovered a sinister plot by terrorist elements to stage series of coordinated attacks, using explosives on different cities across the country.
“Their aim was to hit soft targets such as markets, public parks, public processions, recreation centres as well as worship centres, especially the Eid praying grounds and other densely populated areas during the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
“The latest plan by the terrorists was to unleash mayhem on Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri.
“Consequently, the Service wishes to announce that the planned terrorist attacks in Kano and aforementioned states have been nipped in the bud.
“This followed the arrest of Yusuf Adamu and Abdumuminu Haladu in the early hours of today (yesterday) in Sokoto.
“Adamu and his accomplice were to command the operation in Kano.
“However, the Service had earlier arrested the facilitator of the Kano attack, an explosive expert by name Bashir Mohammed, at Unguwar Barnawa, Shekar Madaki, Kumbatso LGA, Kano State on 20th June, 2017.
“Their plan, together with others now at large, was to assemble the explosives and use them on select targets during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.”
Nnochi asked Nigerians not to panic, saying that the agency was working in concert with other security agencies to ensure that no part of the country is attacked during and after the period.
He also urged members of the public to complement the efforts of DSS and other security agencies through prompt report of suspicious movements and faces as well as unusual activities of criminals and terrorists around their neighbourhoods .
He said: “The public is encouraged to disregard the antics of these terrorist extremists to cause a breakdown of law and order and instill fear in the populace. The Service is working.
“Law abiding citizens and residents are not only assured of their safety but enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear of attack.”
Security beefed up nationwide
Already, the police and other security agencies have beefed up security around the country to avoid any untoward situation during the Sallah period.
As part of efforts to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris yesterday ordered zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of zones and state commands nationwide to beef up security.
The senior officers are also to ensure massive deployment of Police personnel to all Eid praying grounds, recreation centres, public places and critical infrastructure and public utilities.
The Force leadership in a statement in Abuja by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, noted that the deployment would prevent crime and ensure hitch-free celebration.
According to the statement: “Federal Highway patrol Teams, Safer Highway patrol, and Anti-Crime patrols have been deployed along major roads and highways throughout the country for the protection of public highways and major roads to ensure safety of travellers, commuters and other road users.
“They are under strict instruction to be civil, polite and firm in carryout their duties. “Police visibility and surveillance will be maintained, raiding of criminal hideouts, black spots currently ongoing throughout the country aimed at removing criminal elements from the society will be sustained all through the period of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration and beyond.”
Imo tightens security around mosques
In Imo State, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, said yesterday that police officers, especially those attached to the Anti-bomb Unit would be deployed to major mosques and recreation centres in the state ahead of the Sallah celebration.
He also said that several police units in the state will patrol areas where banks are located to ensure that criminal elements do not take advantage of the increase in the number of customers that may patronise the banks.
Ezike said that security would be beefed up around the mosque to give the Muslim community a sense of security, following the nationwide apprehension created by the activities of separatist groups, especially the quit notice issued by some Arewa youths.
According to him, the Police will not allow any person or group of persons to molest or intimidate anyone, irrespective of their tribe or religion, warning that the Police would deal severely with anyone harbouring an intention to disrupt public peace or foment trouble during the Sallah holiday.
He added that the Police would tighten security in areas where Arewa people are known to reside.
He said: “We want to assure the Muslim community in the state that there is no cause for alarm. They should go about their celebration without any fear of molestation.
“The Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have adequate and pro-active measures to ensure a hitch-free Sallah celebration.
“We have also directed all heads of tactical units in the headquarters to move to the field with their men.
“Even all the DPOs are leading the bank patrols and nobody will return to his office until Wednesday, after the holiday.”
Civil Defence deploys 2,000 corps in Kano
No fewer than 2,000 personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed in Kano to complement security operations during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The NSCDC, in a statement signed by the spokesman of its Kano Command, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and made available to The Nation, warned thugs and other miscreants to desist from acts that are capable of breaching public peace during the celebrations.
According to him, the personnel would work at strategic places across the 44 local government areas of the state to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
He said the corps would deal decisively with anyone caught in criminal activities.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn that the corps will deal severely with thugs and miscreants attempting to breach public peace and order,” he said.
The command also warned youths who engage in car race in the name of celebration to desist from doing so or face the full wrath of the law.
Borno restricts
vehicular movement
In Maiduguri, Borno State capital, the Police yesterday issued an order prohibiting the movement of vehicles on Sallah day until after the Eid prayers.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the state’s police command, DSP Victor Isuku, the force said the measures, though regrettable, was meant to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
The statement reads: “In view of the Eid-el-fitr Sallah celebration coming up on or about 25/6/2017, the Borno State Police Command wishes to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring a crime/hitch-free celebration.
“In pursuance therefore, the residents of Maiduguri metropolitan council and Jere local government areas are by this release informed that there will be restriction of vehicular movement until after the Eid prayers on 25/6/2017.
“The restriction will include the use of motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles and animals, except those on essential duties.
“This restriction, though regrettable, is necessary in view of recent security concerns.
“Muslim faithful are therefore advised to pray at Eid prayer grounds close to their homes.”
