Following the Department of State Services alert on Tuesday that there was a plot by the Islamic State West Africa Province to attack Ondo and Kogi states, states have activated surveillance and counter-terror measures against the ISWAP plot.
Kogi shares a boundary with 10 states. They include Benue in the East, Anambra in the South, Enugu in the South-East, Edo in the South-West and Ondo in the West.
Others are Ekiti in the West, Kwara in the West, Niger in the North, Nasarawa in the North-East and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Concerned by the development, the state governors have called on the residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that they have fortified the security system to thwart any attacks.
The Department of State Services had on Tuesday alerted the Nigerian Army to an alleged plot by ISWAP to launch coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi states.
In a confidential letter addressed to the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, the secret police warned of “imminent attacks” by ISWAP terrorists and urged heightened surveillance and security deployment across vulnerable areas.
The letter, signed by H. I. Kana on behalf of the State Director of Security, was titled, ‘Imminent Attacks in Ondo State by Members of ISWAP.’
According to the document, the targeted communities in Ondo State include Eriti-Akoko and Oyin-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.
“Intelligence confirmed plans by members of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon,” the letter read in part.
“It was further gathered that the group has commenced surveillance on potential soft targets in the above-mentioned locations. Consequently, there is a need to scale up the level of security alertness in the various communities to forestall any untoward situation,” it added.
The security agency called for immediate action by the army and other relevant forces to prevent the attacks, stressing the importance of community vigilance.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development, saying the police were already acting on the intelligence.
“That’s partly why we were in Akoko on Sunday. Everyone is taking steps to ensure no event takes us unawares,” Ayanlade said.
The alert comes more than three years after terrorists suspected to be ISWAP members attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on June 5, 2022, killing 41 worshippers and injuring dozens.
The suspects were later arrested by the DSS and are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking on the terror plot on Wednesday, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urged the residents of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or strangers in their communities to the security agencies.
In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, the government said it was aware of the security threat and had been taking necessary precautions to avert it.
The statement read, “ The Government of Ondo State is aware of the recent security alert memo of the State Security Services addressed to the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure regarding a possible terrorist attack in some parts of the state, which got leaked to the media.
“The leaked memo is part of regular intelligence reports that are routinely shared among security agencies and the government. Such reports are a normal part of security operations, aimed at identifying and preventing potential threats.
‘’These intelligence reports often contain varying levels of threat assessment and are used in joint operations by security agencies to enhance vigilance and take proactive measures.
“The public can be assured that these reports are being acted upon by the government and relevant security agencies, and necessary precautions are being taken to ensure safety and security. The emphasis remains on maintaining vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and the government to prevent and respond to any potential threats.
“We urge all residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency. We want to reassure you that every measure is being taken to prevent any attack in Ondo State.”
The government explained it was in contact with the security agencies and taking several steps to protect residents, especially those in border communities, so Ondo could remain as one of the safest states in the country.
“Once again, we appeal to residents to remain calm, go about their normal daily activities, refrain from taking law into their hands, cooperate with security agencies and provide any information that may help prevent any threat in any part of the state,” the statement concluded.
Despite the official assurances, scared residents in the communities under threat have appealed to the state government and the security agencies not to take the threat lightly.
A resident of Owo community and retired secondary school teacher, Mr Olalekan Yussuf, said since the alert had come to the notice of the security stakeholders and the government, they should be proactive in the protection of the lives and property of the people of the state.
He said, “I just heard about this issue this morning, it is somehow scary, but thank God that the security agencies have exposed the plan, and we want to beg the governor and the state security agencies to be more proactive against the activities of the criminals in our community and state in general.’’
Another resident and commercial bus driver in Oke Agbe, the headquarters of Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Mr Rufus Alabi, said although the community and other neighbouring communities were calm and peaceful, the government must do everything to avert any possible attack that could disrupt the peace.
“We heard about the matter (threat) today. I believe the security people would do something about it, and our local vigilante groups, too, would not go and sleep. But in all, our government should do something about it; they should not take it as a mere rumour. They must arrest them,” Alabi appealed.
Speaking with one of our correspondents, the Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security Matters, Mr Samuel Ojo, said the Adeleke administration had acted to prevent infiltration of the boundary communities long before the alarm by the DSS was made public.
Ojo, who called on the residents to cooperate with the government and security agencies by making available timely information regarding suspicious movement in their area, said boundary communities with other states are being monitored closely.
“As far as Osun State is concerned, and being the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor, we are always working proactively to ensure that all the security issues from other neighbouring states will not affect us. We are working hard to keep the state safe.
“As soon as I got the message, I sent it to all the security advisers in Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara States. We, the Special Advisers on Security, are having meetings periodically.
“Even before now, we have discussed extensively on how to ensure that such a warning was well treated to prevent an unfortunate incident. We acted proactively and made sure those useless bandits do not come to our state.
“Osun people should continue to cooperate with the government and inform any security agency close to their neighbourhood of suspicious movement,” Ojo said.
On its part, the Kogi State Government called on residents of the state to remain calm and vigilant following reports of a planned terrorist attack in parts of the state and Ondo.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government described the intelligence report as a step towards victory, noting that it demonstrates the proactive work of the DSS and other security agencies in protecting Nigerians from criminal elements.
“The report itself is evidence that our security agencies are alive to their responsibilities. We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed,” the statement read.
The commissioner assured citizens that the Kogi State Government is working closely with the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other relevant security formations to ensure that any terrorist attempt is completely foiled before it can threaten lives or property.
“His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Ododo, has made security of lives and property a top priority of his administration. Strategic security measures have been reinforced across the State, and surveillance has been intensified, especially around border communities,” Fanwo added.
He urged residents to go about their normal businesses without fear but to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security agency.
“The Government will protect the people at all costs. We will not allow criminals or terror groups to disrupt the peace and progress we have built. Kogi remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, and we intend to keep it that way,” the statement concluded.
In response to the ISWAP plot, the Kwara State Police Command says it has intensified surveillance and strengthened collaboration with other security agencies.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command is “fully on top of the situation” and working proactively to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
“We are not taking any chances. The command is collaborating with sister agencies to ensure that Kwara remains safe and free from criminal elements who might want to infiltrate from neighbouring states,” she said.
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