The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on Nigerians to be watchful and security conscious before and during the the coming Muslim Eid-El-Kabir festival, as it has information that criminal elements plan to attack worship centres during the period.
Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the DSS made this known in a statement circulated to the media Thursday.
The agency further advised operators of public places, including markets and malls, to be watchful and report any suspicious movements and persons to security agencies.
The statement further assured that the agency would be cooperating with other security bodies for necessary proactive drills to frustrate criminals and their activities, as usual.
It also disclosed that a joint security team comprising the DSS, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force carried out operations in Nasarawa and Kogi states, neutralising and apprehending some criminals.
According to Afunanya, the team apprehended one Abubakar Muhammad, also known as Abu Direba, a suspected gunrunner on 19th June, 2023 along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway in the Keffi Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
The statement added that in another joint operation in the early hours of Thursday, a team raided the hideout of one Kabir Bala, better known as Okwo, a one-time jail breaker and notorious gang leader in Ejule, Ofu LGA of Kogi state.
Okwo and his gang members were said to have engaged the troops in a gun duel during which he was neutralised, with others fleeing the area.
