Security has been beefed up in border communities across the Southwest states, following an alleged plot by suspected terrorists to attack military formations in the areas, it was learnt yesterday.
Government sources said there is increased surveillance in Yewa, Ogun State border towns and Badagry-Seme borders in Lagos and Oke-Ogun, Oyo State to ward off any attack by bandits and terrorists.
There was panic at the weekend after the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies were put on red alert to avert attacks.
In Ogun State, a competent source said Governor Dapo Abiodun has concluded plans to relaunch the “Operation Mesa” this week, following the purchase of more security equipment, patrol vans and other facilities for the outfit.
Also, the security outfit, Amotekun, has been put on alert for intelligence gathering and combat.
Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Security, Olusola Subair said: “I am not in the country now. I know that there is no cause for alarm. Our men are always on the alert. They are ready for any emergency. Our security outfits are supplied with logistics and other facilities. There is no room for panic.”
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, urged the government and the security agencies to always be on top of every security threat.
Oba Gbadebo, who spoke to our correspondent on the threat, said his people will provide information to the authorities to ensure the safety of Egbaland.
The Alake spoke through one of his chiefs, Baaroyin of Egbaland, Chief Lai Labode.
He said: “The military or paramilitary always make sure that their first port of call, apart from the number one citizen of Ogun State, is the palace of Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland.
“By the size of the population, Ogun Central, which is the home of the Egbas, is by size very large and by population is more than half the population of the state.
“That means the issue of security in this area is very vital and every chief executive of paramilitary and the military itself always enjoin that the Alake, his chiefs and people of Egbaland to cooperate and the last in the series was the new Comptroller General of Area 1 of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun State Command that came last week.
“And it is incumbent on the Alake and other traditional rulers (in Egbaland) to ensure that information goes to the right quarters as far as security is concerned and our paramount ruler is an ex-serviceman and senior military officer before he retired.
“Alake has always assured these security officers that they can count on him as far as the security architecture of Egba area as well as other parts of the state are concerned. And on the issue of the threat, whether it is real or a ruse, one can count on what the Alake has been saying since he came to the throne for the past 16 years, which is that we as a nation should always be on top of the situation and he and his people have always been cooperating with the security agencies to (secure his domain).”
In Lagos, although the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, did not confirm the invasion of terrorists, he acknowledged the presence of an intelligence report and assured that security agencies were not treating the report with levity.
He also disclosed that security agencies were working with credible informants to ensure that if the intelligence report is true, fleeing terrorists would be apprehended and brought to justice.
A high-ranking Lagos State Government official assured that everything is under control in the Centre of Excellence.
The official urged residents to go about their businesses without fear, saying the security operatives in the state are alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties.
The official said: “It is not a time for anybody to panic. Lagos State has standing security machinery that is alive 24/7, up to the task and well-equipped.
Reach the right people at the right time with Nationnewslead. Try and advertise any kind of your business to users online today.
Kindly contact us for your advert or publication @ Nationnewslead@gmail.com Call or Whatsapp: 08168544205, 07055577376, 09122592273