By Amos Dunia
After the hullaballoo that trailed the security advisories issued by the United States (US) Embassy in Abuja urging citizens to be on the alert for a possible strike by terrorist groups, the tension and anxiety generated in the minds of citizens seem to have gone down and quiet as the postulations may have turned out differently. While the security alerts might not have been a mirage, the nation’s security agencies led by the Department of State Services (DSS), however, moved fast and appropriately too in combing the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to fish out some elements of the terrorist group who may have infiltrated the city and allegedly hibernating in some parts of the nation’s capital.
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Credible information indicates that the DSS, under the effective headship of its Director General, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, did not take the security alert lying low as it quickly moved into action by deploying its crack teams to go after the terrorists in every and any of their possible hideouts. The DSS boss, considered and known to be a core professional officer, is more interested in achieving results than trying to show off what the officers and men under his supervision are doing based on his firm belief that action speaks louder than words. Indeed, under his proactive style of operation and refusing to leave anything to chance, the DSS quickly collaborated with the military to storm the popular Trademore Estate, located in the Lugbe District of Abuja, where it decisively and effectively put in check the attempt by some unwanted persons considered as security risks to the nation.
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Again, but for the misinformation dished out to the public to the effect that the Service carried out the operation with some foreign inputs, the DSS, it was gathered was more concerned and interested in achieving results and not craving for undue publicity. “I can tell you for free that no security agency in the country as of today, would complain of not getting adequate and advanced security intelligence. Lest we forgot, the so-called alert over terrorist threat issued by the USA and Britain Embassies recently was long issued in a more professional manner by the DSS without causing any form of panic and the Service has since then been working behind the scene to nip the possible threat in the bud,” the officer posited.
The above position was also clarified by the DSS Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, who stressed that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past and therefore urged residents of Abuja to take necessary precautions and remain alert at all times.
Afunanya’s explanations came on the heels of several enquiries relating to the security advisories issued by the US Embassy and some other foreign missions in Abuja.
Without mincing words, the DSS and other security agencies surely deserve commendations and applause from Nigerians for working tirelessly to keep the nation’s capital safe, give hope to the people, and create a conducive atmosphere for the public to go about their day-to-day activities unmolested and fear of possible insecurity threats.
Dunia, a journalist, wrote from Abuja