The Department of State Services, (DSS), has raised alarm over an alleged ploy by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launch attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places during the public holidays and Sallah celebrations.
The spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, in an issued statement yesterday, said the “criminal gangs” intend to form a coalition to attack select places during the holiday period.
The statement said that the targeted places include worship and relaxation centres designed by the criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.
According to the statement,
“The objective is to achieve some self-serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The Service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country”.
Consequently, the Service warned patrons, owners and managers of the aforementioned public places to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats and assured that it was committed to the disruption of the dastardly act.
It promised that it would continue to partner with other security agencies to ensure that necessary drills were emplaced so that public peace and order were not jeopardised.
The DSS called on residents to share with security and law enforcement agencies vital information on the activities of criminals.
