A factional leader of the Odua Peoples’ Congress, Gani Adams has warned the Boko Haram and Ansaru terrorist groups to keep away from the South-West region of Nigeria.
Adams’ comment was in response to recent intelligence reports that the terrorist groups had embarked on a recruitment drive in the South-West with the aim of establishing cells in the zone.
According to Adams, the OPC had long heard of the intention of Boko Haram to infiltrate Lagos and that his group had been working underground to scuttle their efforts.
He warned that if the terrorist groups proceeded with their plans, they would meet their doom.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government in an effort to douse the tension raised by the release of the intelligence reports, has through two of its commissioners asked residents of the state to go about their duties with the assurance that the state was 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, said 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.”