DSS Busted ISWAP Sleeper Cell In Osun, Arrested 10 Suspects In Ilesha
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It was gathered that the raid conducted around 1am on December 16, 2024, targeted an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, and Ogbon Idio in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed details of a covert operation that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
It was gathered that the raid conducted around 1am on December 16, 2024, targeted an old bungalow near St. Mary Catholic Church, Ifofin, and Ogbon Idio in the Ilesa-East Local Government Area.
A team of about 30 DSS operatives carried out the operation, which had been in motion for 90 days.
The suspects, identified as 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 on manufacturing and detonating explosives at the time of their arrest.
According to DSS findings, the suspects are confirmed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP, and preliminary investigations suggest plans for coordinated terror attacks.
However, the arrest came to public attention on January 10, 2025, when the DSS filed an application with the Federal High Court in Abuja to detain the suspects for 60 days.
The operation took 90 days, involving two separate teams from the DSS headquarters.
The first team was deployed to Ilesa in late September 2024, while the second arrived in mid-November 2024.
However, sources disclosed that the DSS Osun command was excluded from the operation due to fears of compromised intelligence after initial signals on ISWAP activities in Ilesa were reportedly leaked.
According to PUNCH, the Department of State Services (DSS) executed the covert operation in Ifofin, Ilesa, Osun State, leading to the arrest of individuals suspected of ties to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
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