Security Alert: DSS arrest two suspected terrorists in Abuja

When Department of State Services agents invaded the Trademore Estate in the Lugbe neighborhood of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja on Monday, they detained two terror suspects.

While the operation was going on, the security personnel reportedly locked the estate’s access and exit gates.

According to information obtained, the two suspects, who are reportedly siblings, were detained on terrorism-related charges.

This occurred less than a day after the United States and the United Kingdom issued alerts about a potential terror assault in Abuja that was particularly aimed at government structures, houses of worship, and educational facilities, among other targets.

The US government has authorized the departure of its non-essential personnel and their families from Nigeria in light of this development.

This was disclosed by the US State Department on Tuesday night in an update to its travel advice for Nigeria.

According to the Punch report, residents of Trademore Estate said on Wednesday that the DSS and several foreign security personnel carried out the raid.

An estate resident who requested anonymity revealed that during the operation, residents were essentially held hostage.

Additionally, a post on the estate’s Whatsapp platform on Wednesday, quoted by the newspaper, warned residents to be watchful and make sure they knew their neighbors.

“It’s no longer news that there was a high-powered sting operation in Phase 3 this afternoon, culminating in a complete shutdown of our estate. A combination of the American Army and our DSS team were responsible.

“We are unable to give full details of the reason(s) behind the operation; however, we can confirm that there was an allegation of terrorist activities. It is therefore desperately incumbent on every resident to remain vigilant, know your neighbours and report any suspicious movement, person or activities to the exco, street reps and/or the police.

‘’We will continue to do our utmost best to keep the estate safe for all of us. Everyone is responsible for security and there should be no iota of abdication of this responsibility,” the post partly read.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Estate, Adewale Adenaike, simply said, “I can confirm to you that DSS personnel and foreign soldiers visited our estate. You can contact them to get the details of what happened. Let me, however, use this medium to urge residents to be calm and vigilant. The rumours of a planned attack on the estate are not true.”

Meanwhile, the DSS has yet to speak on the matter when this report was filed.