DSS raises alarm, says criminals planning to launch coordinated bomb attacks on worship, relaxation centres during holidays

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday raised the alarm over plans by criminal elements to launch bomb attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.

The Service said a ploy had been uncovered by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.

Newsclickng.com reports that the Federal Government is expected to formally declare public holidays from May 1st to 3rd to mark the 2022 Workers’ Day and Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan fast) respectively.

Spokesman of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, who disclosed this in a statement, urged owners and managers of such public places to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.

He said the objective is to achieve some self- serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry.

He said the Service is committed to the disruption of this trend and pattern of violent attacks and will continue to partner with other security agencies to ensure that peace and order is maintained.

The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby draws public attention to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.

“Though there are already reported cases of such incidents in some areas, the Service has uncovered a ploy by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.

“The objective is to achieve some self- serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The Service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country.

“Following these, patrons, owners and managers of aforementioned public places are advised to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats. While the Service is committed to the disruption of this trend and pattern of violent attacks, it will continue to partner with other security agencies to ensure that necessary drills are emplaced in order that public peace and order are not jeopardized.

“To this end, residents are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and share, with security and law enforcement agencies, useful information on the activities of criminals.

“Meanwhile, the DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, fwc wishes all and sundry a hitch free Workers’ Day and Sallah celebrations.”