Eid-el-Kabir: DSS urges vigilance during celebration…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has called for vigilance before and during next week’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

This, the service said, was imperative as reports had indicated plans by hoodlums to attack worship and recreational centres before and during the festivities.

The Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

He said the evil plan was evident in the recovery of primed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from suspected terrorists.

Afunanya also said a one-time jail breaker and notorious gang leader at Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State was killed yesterday after a shootout with a joint security team.

The joint security team, comprising the DSS, the Nigerian Army, and the police, also apprehended Abubakar Muhammad (aka Abu Direba), a suspected gunrunner at Keffi in Nasarawa State on June 19.

The DSS spokesman said the joint security team raided Bala’s hideout in the early hours of yesterday.

According to him, Bala and his gang members engaged the troops in a gun duel during which he was neutralised.

“Others, however, fled the area. Items recovered on the scene were one AK-47 rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated weapons, two phones and charms,” Afunanya said.

He also said in the operation, in which Muhammad was apprehended, some “insidious items” were seized.

They include 486 rounds of 7.62 x39mm calibre ammunition; 22 primed IEDs; the sum N31,500; and one Volkswagen Golf vehicle with registration number RBC202XA.

“Operators and patrons of public places, including markets, malls, etc, are advised to be watchful and report any suspicious movements and persons to the relevant security agencies.

“Accordingly, the service will continue to partner sister agencies for necessary proactive drills to frustrate criminals and their activities,” Afunanya added.