The Department of State Services (DSS) says that “enemies of state” were plotting to cause mayhem during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
In a Tuesday statement signed by its spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, the secret police stated that the assailants would try to use explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons to attack vulnerable places, including critical infrastructure, places of worship as well as recreational centres.
He said that the aim of the attacks was to undermine the government of the day.
However, Afunanya said, the security agencies have set plans in motion to thwart the sinister plots.
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“The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons.
“The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the government,” the DSS spokesman said.
He urged Nigerians to be vigilant and give information about strange movements in their locality to the security agencies.
Afunanya said that DSS was liaising with sister security agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property.
“To further achieve this purpose, the Service has provided these emergency response numbers: 08132222105 and 09030002189 for urgent contacts. It is also using this opportunity to unveil its interactive website, www.dss.gov.ng, for public communication support,” he noted.