The Department of State Services has promised to work with other security organizations to ensure the nation’s safety during the transition period, as some groups are trying to disrupt the process.
Recently, a joint operation by DSS, Nigerian Army, and Nigerian Police resulted in the capture of five terrorists in Kaduna and Kano states.
The terrorists had used improvised explosive devices during the raid on their base in Kaduna, and one of them wearing a suicide vest detonated himself.
Three terrorists were arrested, along with two suicide vests.
A statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said a terrorist with a suicide jacket was said to have blown himself up while three terrorists were arrested and two suicide jackets were recovered from them.
The statement partly read, “The DSS hereby informs the public that the Service and troops of the Nigerian Army and Police Force, in the early hours of May 15, 2023, simultaneously raided hideouts of insurgents/terrorists in parts of Kaduna and Kano States.
“During the raid in Kaduna State, the terrorists IEDs against the fighting forces. One of the terrorists who wore a suicide jacket blew himself up. While three suspects were arrested, items recovered upon a search of the group’s accommodation, after Police EOD had diffused other IEDs, were: two suicide jackets, one AK-47 rifle, a pistol, and one laptop.
“In Kano State, two suspects were arrested while recovered items include: a pistol, 11 mobile phones, two hand grenades, one fully charged AK-47 magazine, two empty AK-47 magazines, one Peugeot 307 car, and an ID card belonging to a suspect that escaped.”
He said as a result of the military onslaught on terrorists in the North East, the terrorists have relocated to the North West and Central where they have active cells.
“Intelligence had earlier revealed that high profile terrorist targets were regrouping in the North West to carry out dastardly acts in the area. Notably, the steady Military operations in the North East have necessitated the insurgents’ escape to the North West and Central zones where they are establishing active cells.”
