Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) have arrested two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Lagos state.
The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were apprehended on Sunday in Apapa, Lagos, according to security sources with direct knowledge of the operation.
“They were arrested around 8:45am on Sunday and are currently being detained for interrogation,” the source told Premium Times.
The source added that intelligence reports indicated the suspects fled from the insurgency-hit north-east to Lagos.
The mission of the suspects in Lagos was, however, not immediately clear as of press time. There were also no indications that they were planning an attack in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.
When contacted, an official of the DSS media unit said the arrests had not yet been brought to their attention.
The agency has maintained a low-profile media posture since the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, citing operational reasons.
Security experts have warned that ISWAP has been making attempts to expand its operations beyond the north-east.
The Boko Haram insurgency, now fragmented into rival factions including ISWAP, has persisted for over 15 years, with Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states bearing the brunt.
