Leader of a faction of the Odua
People’s Congress, Gani Adams, has warned the terrorist sects – Boko
Haram and Ansaru – to stay away from the South-West region of Nigeria.
Adams’ comment was against the backdrop of an intelligence report alleging that the sects were planning to begin recruitment in Lagos and other south-western states.
Saturday PUNCH had exclusively reported last week that the terror groups had begun a recruitment drive in the South-West with the aim of establishing cells in the zone.
However, Adams told Saturday PUNCH that the OPC had heard of the intention of the Boko Haram to infiltrate Lagos a long time ago and that the group had been working underground to foil their attempts.
He warned that if the terrorist sects progressed with such plans, it would spell doom for them.
Adams said, “We will continue to make sure that the South-West is safe. We will not take any incursion or attempt to attack the region lightly.
“We will defend our territory with the last blood in our veins. Boko Haram should stay away from Lagos in its own interest. We don’t believe that any religion should lead to a waste of innocent lives and property.
“It will not work here. We also urge our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the police and other relevant authorities.”
Meanwhile, as a follow-up to the publication, the Lagos State Government, through two of its commissioners, had asked Lagos residents to go about their duties without fear on the assurance that the state had been fully secured.
In furtherance of this, a body of security agencies in Lagos State in a paid advertorial took residents through the rudiments of security and safety.
In the same vein, the Force Deputy Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, told Saturday PUNCH that Lagos State remains one of the safest cities in West Africa.
On proactive steps being taken by the police against Boko Haram’s alleged plan to enter the South-West, Mba said, “Lagos has said that the state is safe and I am saying that we will not allow that safety to be altered. People have no need to panic. The Lagos State Police Command is intelligence-driven with competent officers and men.”
Adams’ comment was against the backdrop of an intelligence report alleging that the sects were planning to begin recruitment in Lagos and other south-western states.
Saturday PUNCH had exclusively reported last week that the terror groups had begun a recruitment drive in the South-West with the aim of establishing cells in the zone.
However, Adams told Saturday PUNCH that the OPC had heard of the intention of the Boko Haram to infiltrate Lagos a long time ago and that the group had been working underground to foil their attempts.
He warned that if the terrorist sects progressed with such plans, it would spell doom for them.
Adams said, “We will continue to make sure that the South-West is safe. We will not take any incursion or attempt to attack the region lightly.
“We will defend our territory with the last blood in our veins. Boko Haram should stay away from Lagos in its own interest. We don’t believe that any religion should lead to a waste of innocent lives and property.
“It will not work here. We also urge our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the police and other relevant authorities.”
Meanwhile, as a follow-up to the publication, the Lagos State Government, through two of its commissioners, had asked Lagos residents to go about their duties without fear on the assurance that the state had been fully secured.
In furtherance of this, a body of security agencies in Lagos State in a paid advertorial took residents through the rudiments of security and safety.
In the same vein, the Force Deputy Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, told Saturday PUNCH that Lagos State remains one of the safest cities in West Africa.
On proactive steps being taken by the police against Boko Haram’s alleged plan to enter the South-West, Mba said, “Lagos has said that the state is safe and I am saying that we will not allow that safety to be altered. People have no need to panic. The Lagos State Police Command is intelligence-driven with competent officers and men.”
