Anxiety as DSS arrests two suspected ISWAP terrorists in Lagos few days to Christmas

Two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been arrested in Lagos State.

The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were apprehended on Sunday, December 21, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).

A security source with direct knowledge of the operation told Premium Times that the suspects were arrested in Apapa, Lagos.

“They were arrested around 8:45am on Sunday,” the source said, adding that both men are currently in detention for interrogation.

According to findings, the arrests followed intelligence reports that the suspects had fled the insurgency-hit North-East and relocated to Lagos

The specific mission of the suspects in the state was not immediately clear as of press time.

When contacted by newsmen, an official of the DSS media unit said the arrests had not been brought to the agency’s attention.

Since the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the DSS has adopted a low-profile media approach, explaining that the move is necessary to allow the agency to effectively carry out its intelligence operations.

In June 2022, ISWAP launched a deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The terror group armed with guns and explosives killed dozens of worshippers during mass.

There was also a similar warning from the DSS some months ago that the terror group is planning to attack some states , including Ondo. The arrests of the two suspects show that the group is likely planning to expand its operations in the South West.