An anonymous eye-witness has narrated to Freelanews how the sting operation that led to the arrest of terrorists in the federal capital territory, Abuja, on Monday, October 24, 2022 went down.
Recall that few days ago, the United States embassy in Nigeria warned Americans in the country to be cautious of their movements in response to elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
In a security alert issued on Sunday, the US advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds
The statement read “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.
“The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice. Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.
“Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”
The situation might have been neutralised when American soldiers and some DSS stormed a highbrow area in Abuja to effect the arrest of two men suspected to be terrorists.
The source revealed that he became restless and raced home when he received a message on his estate WhatsApp group that her estate has been locked down.
“I was in the office when I got a message that our estate has been locked down; no going out nor coming in. That it was locked by American solders.
“I don’t know what is happening but my estate has been on red alert for a while, especially my street.
“So when I saw this new notification, I started rushing home,” he told our correspondent.
When he got to the estate gate where security post is located, the eye witness claimed he was not allowed in.
“I got to the gate, they didn’t allow me in and I could see American soldiers, all masked up, and two hajias, who I suspected to be DSS.
“These hajias have been in the estate for some time now and driving around in one rugged Golf car,” she narrated.
The eye-witness claimed that the white soldiers commenced the operation through the targeted house’s roof.
“I was standing in front of my church, while they were removing the roof of this house and I didn’t hear any sound! They asked everybody to move back. You need to see the way they pushed everybody out of Phase 3. (Note: We’ve three phases in our estate).
“Phase 3 was on lock-down; no coming in nor going out. We were just staring as soldiers were going inside the building from the roof.
“I was very impressed with their outfits, especially their trucks!” he exclaimed.
Our source said that one of the suspected terrorists was later apprehended at the end of the operation, while the other tried to make a run for it.
“They caught the guy but one of them tried to escape in Toyota Prado jeep. Can you imagine that these guys lived in the boys-quarters yet they’re using bulletproof car!
“He ran out, entered the Prado jeep. That was when they started shooting the vehicle. But the vehicle was not affected, even the tires were bulletproof!
“He almost escaped but the soldiers who laid awaiting at the main gate stopped him. The vehicle was immediately smashed with sledge hammers and he was dragged out,” he disclosed.
On further probing, our source stated that the estate chairman, who was the only one allowed to move closer, was informed by
the soldiers that those arrested were confirmed terrorists and native of Kogi State.
It was also alleged that several Ghana-Must-Go bags filled with dollars were seized.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
