A joint operation launched by the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the police and other security agencies has successfully dismantled a terror cell and arrested five Islamic State West Africa Province commanders and 30 fighters.

The PUNCH gathered that the terror suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in different locations in Abuja, Mararaba and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory. Our correspondent learnt that the suspects were being held at a DSS facility.

The arrests were made amid heightened tension in the nation’s capital as the popular Jabi Lake Mall shut its doors to shoppers and visitors on Thursday, citing the security situation.

To discourage criminal activities, the FCT Administration demolished shanties on Law School land, saying it was part of security measures.

Also, the United Kingdom issued a fresh security alert warning British nationals against visiting Abuja and 14 other states.

This further sparked anxiety among residents as many stayed away from work while vehicular traffic was unusually light.

In addition, the United States Mission and the British High Commission suspended consular services.

But the counter-intelligence operations which netted the suspected militants continued on Thursday with more arrests. It was said to have the backing of the US security and intelligence agencies.

Our correspondent could, however, not confirm the number of additional suspects that were picked up during the Thursday raid.

It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks.

The US Embassy in Abuja had issued an alert for “an elevated risk of terror attacks” in the city, saying that possible targets include government buildings, places of worship and other public places.

The source disclosed that the detained fighters were providing useful information which had led to the arrest of some of their members masquerading as artisans, cart pushers and security guards in the city.

A senior officer stated, ‘’A massive counter-intelligence operation is going on to disrupt, neutralise and destroy the ISWAP terrorists in the FCT. Many commanders and their foot soldiers have been arrested and they are currently helping us in our investigations. About five commanders and 30 fighters have been apprehended but we expect to capture more suspects as we widen our dragnet.’’

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said he had not been briefed on the arrest of the terrorists when one of our correspondents contacted him.

The Director, Defence Information, Major Jimmy Akpor did not pick up calls to his line and has yet to respond to a text message sent to him on the matter.

Meanwhile, in another update on Wednesday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office again restated its warning of an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.

Despite the assurances of the Federal Government that the security agencies had a handle on the security situation, the British Government cautioned its nationals against travel to the FCT and 14 other states in the country.

The travel advice was made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, underscoring the gravity of the state of affairs.

Source: https://punchng.com/fg-detains-35-suspected-iswap-fighters-tension-heightens/?amp

It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks

I don't agree with this bolded statement.
This is how they would be lying to citizen here and there. If not the US,we could have just been fooled thinking we are secured in this country.

ibechris:
It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks

I don't agree with this bolded statement.
This is how they would be lying to citizen here and there. If not the US,we could have just been fooled thinking we are secured in this country.

I believe the Nigerian agencies didn’t want to cause panic among Nigerians hence the silence but US has nothing to lose by escalating the issue

We learn MURIC now recrute Yoruba Muslims into terorism

All thanks to the US agencies for alerting the Nigeria public, it would have been business as usual and thousands would have been killed and this government will look the other way as usual

This guy is very popular

The JSOC definitely will push for a base here, with all those Chevys yesterday, definitely, there US boots on ground or they are the SAD of CIA

This country sef, look at how it's easy for illiterate to terrorise this country!

Boko Haram that came out in 2009, up till today, nothing has been done. If this was US, Boko Haram will not last up to 3 days.

Thanks to the US....

Nigeria.... Always reactive, not proactive.

Who would have ever thought we will still be battling with insurgency with a retired General as president. But alas even the nation's capital is not safe.

is that why the terrorist alert over abuja

Make dem kill dem make dem no go choke prison....

LIES!!
DSS IS WORKING FOR ISWAP AND BOKOHARAM. IT TOOK A FOREIGN NATION TO ALERT YHEIR CITIZENS HERE OF COMING TERROR ATTACK FOR THIS DSS TI ACT?

EVERYONE KNOWS APC FUNDS BOKOHARAM AND ISWAP. PANTAMI ON INTERNATIONAL TERROR LIST IS IN APC , SAME WITH SHEITIMA.

The timing of this news is making me feel somehow. At this state, everybody's destiny is on their own hands. God help Nigeria.

Maraba,, Nyanya, karimo, Suleja and everywhere from Nyanya down to karshi.

Its shameful so if not for America na so these ragtags for just confisticate Aso rock and we boast of intelligence agency like DSS, well what do you expect when they ve been reduced to agents of witch hunting

So if not US announcements, una for do nothing?

So if the US had not issued a terror alert, our DSS won't have "Swung into action"?

May God help us

You don't need to broadcast their arrests. Kill the idiots secretly before their members will start kidnapping for exchange and it will be back to square one.

ISWAP will be remembered for replacing Boko Haram by defeating them. Just like everyone know PDP bought Boko Haram and APC brought ISWAP and Banditry, we keep asking ourselves whether we have ISWAP members hiding within our government for them to organize a successful jail break in Kuje.
I hope these arrested terrorists are not held for insurance purposes for prisoner swap. And another set of ISWAP terrorists won't rescue them again in another successful jail break.

Nice one

God bless our security operatives for their sleepless night to make sure we're safe. One love

teekrackz:


I believe the Nigerian agencies didn’t want to cause panic among Nigerians hence the silence but US has nothing to lose by escalating the issue

stop deceiving yourself they weren’t doing anything until the US issued security alert, cause which nonsense panic?

Let's keep pretending the end goal of this evil govt is not to hand over Nigeria to ISWAP

And na mararba I de stay oh

So why Lai Mohammed say the USA warning na click bait

ibechris:
It was further learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commission issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks

I don't agree with this bolded statement.
This is how they would be lying to citizen here and there. If not the US,we could have just been fooled thinking we are secured in this country.

u are correct,where them dey when them attack kuje prison?