Residents of Lagos are on high alert after two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested in the state. The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were apprehended by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) on Sunday, December 21, in the Apapa area of Lagos. The arrests took place at approximately 8:45 a.m., and the men are now being held in detention and undergoing interrogation.
A security source familiar with the operation said the arrests were made possible by intelligence reports indicating that the suspects had relocated from Nigeria’s conflict‑hit northeast to Lagos. The SSS has not officially confirmed the incident; its media unit stated that the information had not been formally communicated to them. This silence aligns with the agency’s low‑profile media approach since the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya.
The purpose of the suspects’ presence in Lagos remains unclear, and there is currently no evidence that they were planning attacks in the city. However, security analysts warn that ISWAP has been seeking to expand its activities beyond its traditional strongholds in the northeast. The arrests have heightened concerns among Lagos residents, given the group’s history of violent attacks elsewhere in Nigeria.
ISWAP has been responsible for numerous attacks in the northeast, causing significant loss of life and displacement. Its potential expansion into other parts of the country, including Lagos, underscores the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among security agencies. The Nigerian government has been working to combat the threat posed by ISWAP and other militant groups, and the Lagos arrests represent a significant development in that effort.
As the investigation into the suspects’ activities continues, residents of Lagos and other parts of the country will be watching closely to see what measures are taken to prevent future attacks and ensure public safety.
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