The Department of State Service, DSS, have made known their intelligence report to President Buhari. They claim that the Islamic State in West Africa
The Department of State Service, DSS, have made known their intelligence report to President Buhari. They claim that the Islamic State in West Africa network operating within some North Central and South-South sections of Nigeria may be responsible for the recent killings recorded in Benue State and other parts of the country.
A top government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that DSS told the President that the ISWA network is using foreign terrorists and recruiting young men to fight and kill innocent persons ostensibly to exacerbate tensions along the county’s ethnic, religious and regional fault lines. He said the discovery was made following the arrest of several suspected attackers by the DSS made up of Fulani herdsmen, government-sponsored militias, militants and other miscreants in Benue State.
Among those in custody, according to the Presidency source, are many suspects who cannot speak any Nigerian languages. They are, however, said to be fluent in French language. He added that this is the first time that security officials would be confirming that the ISWA members are operating as a unit in Nigeria. The source said, “A good number of the Islamic State terrorists have been arrested not only in the Benue valley but significantly in several towns in Edo State, specifically in Akoko-Edo, Okpella and Benin as well as in Okene, in Kogi State.
“It is understood that the cell which has members in different parts of the country concentrates on recruiting young men to fight for the Islamic State in West Africa by unleashing the cold-blooded murder of innocent citizens. There was intelligence report that they had planned several attacks here, before and during Christmas and the New Year. Their bombing targets included fuel depots, foreign missions and police and military establishments.”
