By Salifu Usman, Ejike Ejike, Tunde Oguntola, ISAIAH BENJAMIN, ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos, HUSSAINI JIRGI, , ANKELI EMMANUEL, and KALU EZIYI, Anayo Onukwugha
Nigerians yesterday expressed divergent views over the security alert issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) warning of plots by some individuals and groups to cause ethnic-religious violence in some parts of the country.
DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, said the alleged plotters want to “exploit some fault lines” to wreak havoc in the country by causing inter-religious conflicts and also use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities as well as key and vulnerable points.”
This alarm is coming barely three weeks after the DSS had raised the alarm over planned attacks in the northern and southern parts of the country.
Rattled by the security alert, some notable individuals and groups yesterday called on the secret police to do everything possible to quell the planned attacks, while others asked the DSS to stop inflicting fears in the mind of Nigerians.
They urged the security agency to wake up to its constitutional responsibilities by tackling all forms of security threats endangering the nation.
In a statement issued yesterday, the DSS spokesperson said some people have continued to resort to statements, incitement, carelessness and divisions and to pitch citizens against each other in order to seemingly ignite the embers of tribal and religious discord.
He stated: “For the umpteenth time, the Service is strongly warning these elements to immediately desist from their nefarious (planned) acts or face the wrath of the law.
“DSS, in collaboration with other law enforcement and security agencies, will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property.”
On January 11, 2021, the DSS had issued an alert on plans by some elements working with external forces to incite…
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