The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested 10 individuals suspected to be members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in Ilesa, Osun State. The raid, which took place in the early hours of December 16, 2024, targeted an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area.
The suspects—Adamu Abubakar (aka Abu Aisha), Babagana Bashuli, Muhammed Adam, Mustapha Abacha, Katuru Muhammed, Babakura Abacha, Muhammed Ciroma, Ali Gambo, Muhammed Umoru, and Muhammed Bundi—were reportedly undergoing training in explosive manufacturing and detonation when they were apprehended.
According to DSS sources, the arrest was the culmination of a meticulously planned operation that spanned 90 days. The operation involved two separate teams from the DSS headquarters. The first team arrived in Ilesa in September 2024, with the second team joining in mid-November to finalize preparations.
An officer familiar with the operation disclosed, “The undercover agents lived in the community, interacted with residents, and pinpointed the exact location of the suspects. After confirming their activities, a tactical team was sent in, and the operation went smoothly without a single gunshot.”
Another source revealed that the Osun State DSS command was excluded from the operation due to concerns over a prior intelligence leak. “In 2023, we received intelligence about ISWAP’s plans to attack a church in Ilesa, but the signal was compromised, jeopardizing our efforts,” the source explained.
The suspects were reportedly arrested with ISWAP-related materials and bomb-making equipment. They were picked up in the Ogbon Idio and Ifofin areas of Ilesa, where they lived in separate houses. According to a security source, all the suspects were wristwatch repairers and traders.
“These individuals have lived among us for years, selling watches and MP3 players,” said Mohammed Borni, a local community leader. “We never suspected they could be involved in terrorism.”
The arrests have left the Ifofin community reeling. Abubakar, a well-known wristwatch dealer, was reportedly the most prominent among the suspects. His arrest, alongside others, caused confusion among local residents and mosque members who regularly interacted with him.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the moment of the raid. “The DSS came in the middle of the night with five vehicles. They moved quickly and quietly, so most of us only realized what had happened the next morning.”
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Community leaders expressed disbelief over the allegations. “They are not like that,” Borni said. “We have gone to the police and army barracks, but there’s no information about their whereabouts.”
The operation has heightened security concerns in Ilesa, with residents expressing fear of living alongside suspected terrorists. “It’s shocking to think they could be involved in such activities,” said Bimpe Olaiwola, a tailor in the area. “We have always lived peacefully, but now everyone is on edge.”
Another resident, Tope Niyi, emphasized the need for vigilance. “Many of them work as okada riders or do menial jobs, but we can’t take chances. We all need to stay alert.”
The DSS hinted at broader security concerns, noting that ISWAP members were linked to past bank robberies in Osun State and that similar arrests had occurred in Ile-Ife in 2022. The source stated, “Some of those arrested had been tracked since 2023 due to intelligence on their plans to attack a church.”
The swift operation and subsequent arrests have been lauded as a critical step in curbing terrorism in the region, but it has also raised pressing questions about the safety of communities and the presence of sleeper cells in unsuspecting areas. Residents now await further updates as the investigation unfolds.