Governor Adeleke Assures Osun Residents of Safety After Major ISWAP Arrest
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reassured residents of the state about the safety of their lives and properties following the successful operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
The Governor made this assurance while praising the DSS personnel for their alertness and intelligence-driven operation, which neutralized a significant security threat. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Saturday in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke commended the security operatives for their quick response and effective execution of the mission.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but for the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence-driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us,” said the Governor.
Adeleke further emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and properties in Osun. He reiterated that security would continue to be a top priority for his government.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to the security of my people. I will continue to support the efforts of security agencies to prevent any breakdown of law and order in Osun,” he added.
The Governor also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. He expressed confidence that Osun would continue to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his leadership.
The DSS had arrested the suspected ISWAP members on December 16, 2024, during a raid in Ilesa, where they had been posing as watch repairers. The suspects were undergoing training on how to manufacture and detonate explosives. They were 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.
Following the raid, the DSS sought an order from a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 10, 2025, to detain the suspects for 60 days. The operation that led to the arrests lasted 90 days and involved two separate teams from the DSS headquarters. The authorities have confirmed that the suspects were linked to the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.
