- Two suspected ISWAP fighters have been arrested in Lagos.
- The suspects were picked up during an intelligence led operation.
- Security agencies are investigating their activities in the state.
Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province in Lagos State.
The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were apprehended on Sunday, December 21, during an intelligence led operation in Apapa area of the state.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a security source with direct knowledge of the operation confirmed that the arrests took place around 8.45am, adding that both suspects are currently in custody for interrogation.
According to findings, the arrests followed intelligence reports indicating that the suspects had relocated from Nigeria’s insurgency affected North East region to Lagos.
The source said security agencies acted swiftly after tracking the movements of the suspects, although the exact purpose of their presence in Lagos had not been established as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted for official confirmation, an official of the DSS media unit said the development had not yet been brought to the attention of the agency.
The DSS has maintained a low profile media engagement strategy in recent times, following the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya. The agency has explained that the approach is aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and intelligence gathering.
There were no immediate indications that the suspects were planning an attack in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.
However, security analysts have repeatedly warned that ISWAP has been making strategic efforts to expand its operational footprint beyond the North East, raising concerns about possible sleeper cells in major urban centres.
The Boko Haram insurgency, which began over 15 years ago, has since splintered into rival factions following internal leadership crises in 2012 and 2016, with ISWAP emerging as one of the most prominent offshoots.
Security agencies have continued to assure Nigerians of sustained intelligence operations to prevent terror activities across the country.
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