By Bayero Ade
The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained 10 individuals suspected to be members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State, during a raid on 16 December 2024.
The operation, reported by Vanguard, was carried out in the Ifofin and Ogbon Idio areas of Ilesa-East Local Government. Around 30 DSS operatives stormed an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church at approximately 1 a.m. The arrests were disclosed on 10 January 2025 when the DSS sought a court order to detain the suspects for 60 days.
The suspects were identified as Adamu Abubakar (also known as Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi. Authorities alleged that they were involved in training for the creation and deployment of explosives, confirming their affiliation with Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The operation followed an intensive 90-day surveillance by two DSS teams from Abuja, initiated in September 2024. Local DSS personnel were deliberately excluded from the operation due to concerns over potential intelligence leaks. Undercover agents closely monitored the suspects’ activities, culminating in the raid, which was conducted without any gunfire. Bomb-making materials and documents linked to ISWAP were recovered during the operation.
Following the arrests, the DSS reassigned senior officers and redeployed over 150 personnel to northern states, including Benue, Jigawa, and Bauchi. It was revealed that the suspects had been under surveillance since 2023, following the foiling of a plot to attack a church in Ilesa. ISWAP has also been connected to bank robberies in Iree and Iragbiji in 2021 and earlier arrests in Ile-Ife in 2022.
Residents of Ilesa expressed shock upon learning about the suspects, who had reportedly integrated into the community as vendors of wristwatches and MP3 players. Mohammed Borni, a community leader, said, “It’s been two months since the arrests, and we’ve had no contact with them.”
Bimpe Olaiwola, a tailor in the area, shared her apprehensions, stating, “We lived peacefully with them, but this news has made everyone more cautious. I hope the authorities will ensure our safety.”
The arrests have heightened security consciousness in the region, with residents becoming increasingly vigilant about their environment.
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