Joint security operatives apprehended five commanders and 30 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Federal Capital Territory.
Operatives apprehended THE ISWAP members from the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other security agencies IN NIGERIA.
The feared terrorists were apprehended after their hideouts in Abuja, Mararaba, and other Federal Capital Territory satellite towns were successfully dismantled.
A security source told The Punch that the ISWAP members relocated to the FCT following the Nigerian Air Force’s heavy bombardment of their enclaves and camps in the North-West.
According to the security source, the terror suspects were planning a large attack in Abuja before being apprehended by a massive counterintelligence operation led by the DSS.
He stated that the suspected terrorists were being held at a DSS facility and that they were already providing useful information that had resulted in the arrest of some of their members.
According to the security officer, some ISWAP members in the FCT were posing as artisans, cart pushers, and security guards in the city.
He said:
A massive counter-intelligence operation is going on to disrupt, neutralize and destroy the ISWAP terrorists in the FCT. Many commanders and their foot soldiers have been arrested and they are currently helping us in our investigations.
About five commanders and 30 fighters have been apprehended but we expect to capture more suspects as we widen our dragnet.
Speaking with the newspaper on Thursday, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said he had not been briefed on the arrest of the suspected insurgents.