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 Yusuf, 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.

Ejire-Adeyemi explained that the ongoing military operation to rid the state of bandits and other criminal gangs was being supported by the police and local vigilantes, particularly in the border areas.

She noted, ?The Nigerian Army is currently conducting an operation to flush out bandits from the forests within our border areas, and the police are providing full support. We are also working with vigilante groups to strengthen community policing.?

The PPRO assured residents that the command had stepped up intelligence gathering and patrols, adding that security formations across the state had been placed on alert.

?We want to assure residents of Kwara that there is no cause for alarm. Our men are on the ground, and we have intensified patrols in strategic locations,? she added.

Ejire-Adeyemi urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation was critical to sustaining peace.

Ekiti State Government said on Wednesday that it had deployed security operatives to its borders with Ondo and Kogi States following the DSS intelligence report.

The Special Adviser on Security to the Ekiti State Governor, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, who said that the state security council met on Wednesday, said, ?We have been able to put all our arsenal together, we have deployed our men along the borders.

?Then, we are working with the traditional rulers of the areas who equally mobilized the local hunters, Ekiti Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, and local security outfits. They are to work with the Army. The security operatives have also commenced bush clearing to ensure the bushes are free of criminals.

?We have taken security measures and we are in touch with the security agencies and as well as special advisers on security from Kogi, Kwara and Ondo States, we are exchanging intelligence.

?I want to assure our people that the state is safe and that they should go about their lawful duties. They should help us anytime they hear or see anything; they should tell the security agencies. We want to assure that Ekiti is safe. We are on top of the situation,? Ogundana stated.

In a related development, the Ogun State government disclosed it has heightened surveillance along its borders with neighbouring states to forestall any spill-over of insecurity.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated, ?A robust intelligence network has been deployed across all border communities, with continuous monitoring of potential threats in collaboration with local informants and community stakeholders.?

He explained further that the government has equally encouraged inter-agency collaboration to boost coordination.

?The police, including the Nigerian Army, NSCDC, DSS, and local vigilantes, are ensuring synergy in operations, intelligence sharing, and joint response in case of any breach.?

He revealed further that there has also been ?Strategic deployment of patrol teams across highways, forests, and border corridors, particularly in areas linking Ogun with Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States.?

On border security measures, the governor?s aide said that ?Tactical units have been mobilized to reinforce security along porous border points, with stop-and-search operations and increased surveillance to deter infiltration.?

He added, ?So far, there have been no confirmed cases of bandits? invasion into Ogun State. However, isolated incidents of suspicious movements have been promptly intercepted and neutralized through swift security response.?

The Nasarawa State Government, in the same vein, said it has adopted a different approach to tackling the emerging security threats in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs stated this on Wednesday while reacting to reports of a possible attack in some neighbouring states.

He said, ?Let me say that the state government is very much worried about the turn of events regarding the security of lives and property of the citizens of Nasarawa State.

?Despite the continued investment in the security of our people, bad eggs continue to find their way to make it look as if the state government is not doing anything, but the government is doing quite a lot.

?You will recall that just recently, worried by the emerging security threats, especially in Lafia and other parts of the state, His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule, convened an expanded Security Council meeting at the Government House, where all the major stakeholders, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and chairmen of local government councils were invited.

?So, deliberations were taken on how best to tackle the emerging security threats in some parts of the state.

?As I speak to you, far-reaching decisions were reached. I assure the residents that measures have been taken to change gear from what the government has been doing, which has not completely yielded the desired results.?

On his part, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Shettima Mohammed, during a recent press briefing at the command?s headquarters in Lafia, assured that the command was battle-ready to combat criminal elements.

He dismissed the rumoured emergence of a Boko Haram splinter group called Wulo-Wulo in the state, following speculations that some members of the group had moved into parts of the North-Central region.

"He clarified that after a discreet and coordinated investigation, which was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups, no such criminal groups were found anywhere in Nasarawa State.

The commissioner assured the residents that security had been heightened with intensified surveillance, particularly around the border communities of the state.

"Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the DSS for their decisive efforts in dismantling a gunrunning syndicate and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition through coordinated covert operations in the state.

The governor described the successful sting operation as a major boost to ongoing security reforms under his administration?s Kaduna Peace Model, stressing that there will be no hiding place for bandits, arms traffickers, or their collaborators.

It was gathered that the DSS arrested three suspects linked to a major gunrunning network supplying weapons to bandit groups across the North.

The suspects were apprehended in separate covert operations in Igabi and Kachia Local Government Areas.

The first suspect, aged 30, was intercepted along Nnamdi Azikiwe Bypass in Igabi while transporting arms concealed in sacks of maize. Recovered items included two AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and four empty magazines.

"Two others, aged 44 and 38, were later arrested along the Kaduna?Abuja expressway with three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and N69,050 hidden in their vehicle.??

Findings revealed that the weapons were being transported to a notorious bandit network in Niger State, with Kaduna serving as a transit route.

Security sources said the DSS is intensifying efforts to track down other members of the syndicate and dismantle their operations across the North-West.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), the governor said the successful operation demonstrates that Kaduna?s peace framework, anchored on intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement, is producing tangible results.

?There must be some bad eggs who want to rubbish the government?s efforts, but the DSS in Kaduna has done wonderfully well. This is the kind of result we get when institutions work together,? he noted.

The governor praised the synergy among the security agencies, noting that the sustained collaboration has made Kaduna one of the most stable states in the North-West.

?His Excellency has been consistent in supporting all security agencies, and that teamwork is paying off,? he added.

Sani reiterated that the Kaduna Peace Model remains both preventive and proactive, combining non-kinetic engagement with actionable intelligence.

He affirmed that the approach has significantly reduced crime rates and is now being studied by other states as a model for peace and stability.

The governor expressed appreciation to Tinubu and the Director-General of the DSS for strengthening the state?s security architecture, noting that Kaduna has witnessed improved coordination and operational efficiency under their leadership. (The PUNCH)

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