Tension has gripped parts of Ondo and Kogi States following an intelligence alert from the Department of State Services (DSS) warning of planned coordinated attacks by terrorists linked to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The secret police, in a confidential memo addressed to the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, revealed that intelligence reports had uncovered plots by the terrorist group to strike selected communities in the two states.
The letter, signed by one H. I. Kana on behalf of the State Director of Security, cautioned that the attacks were “imminent,” urging the army to heighten vigilance across targeted areas.
According to the DSS, the terrorists had already identified specific communities in Ondo State, including Oyin-Akoko and Eriti-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.
“Intelligence confirmed plans by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon,” the letter read in part.
“It was further gathered that the group has commenced surveillance on potential soft targets in the above-mentioned locations.
“Consequently, there is a need to scale up the level of security alertness in the various communities to forestall any untoward situation,” part of the letter read.
The development has heightened anxiety in the affected communities, with residents calling for increased security presence to avert possible attacks.
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