Anxiety has gripped parts of Lagos following the arrest of two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) in the state.
The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were reportedly arrested on Sunday, December 21, during a security operation carried out in the Apapa area of Lagos. According to a security source familiar with the operation, the arrests took place at about 8:45 a.m.
The source confirmed that both suspects are currently in the custody of the SSS, where they are undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations.
Preliminary findings indicate that the arrests were based on intelligence reports suggesting that the suspects had recently relocated from Nigeria’s conflict-ravaged North-east, a region that has remained the epicentre of ISWAP and other insurgent activities, to Lagos.
Attempts to obtain official confirmation from the SSS proved unsuccessful. A representative of the agency’s media unit stated that the incident had not yet been formally communicated to them.
The development aligns with the agency’s recent low-profile media posture following the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, a move the SSS has attributed to the need for enhanced operational effectiveness.
As of the time of filing this report, the specific reason for the suspects’ presence in Lagos remains unclear. Security sources also noted that there is no immediate evidence to suggest that the suspects were planning an attack in the state.
However, the arrests have heightened public concern, particularly given Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.
Security analysts caution that ISWAP has, in recent years, shown signs of attempting to expand its operational footprint beyond the North-east, raising fears of possible infiltration into other parts of the country.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring the public that security agencies are monitoring the situation closely and taking necessary steps to prevent any threat to public safety.