The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants’ attempt to set up a strategic base in Oyo State to coordinate their operations in Oyo, Osun, and Kwara States was thwarted by security personnel pursuing extremist groups and insurgents.
In order to search for key locations where a coordinating base that would oversee operations in Oyo, Kwara, and Osun States could be established, ISWAP members escaping Maiduguri, Borno State, partnered with one of their members who operates in the northern regions of Oyo State along the Oke-Ogun axis, according to independent sources contacted by the Nigerian Tribune.
It was discovered that the aforementioned ISWAP supporter had begun preparing to construct a base in Oyo State’s Afijio local government area and had been connected to kidnapping and other criminal acts in the Oke-Ogun area.
Security officers allegedly learned of his scheme after he met with several gang members in Osun State, and some of them were subsequently taken into custody.
According to sources, the group’s base is in Oke Ogun, but they managed to avoid arrest and relocate to the Old Oyo National Park, which connects the Old Oyo State to the Kamoko forest that extends from Kaduna to Niger and Kwara States.
However, it was reported that many AK-47 rifles were recovered after security personnel in Oyo and Osun States arrested several of the militants. The linkman, who was reportedly staying in Ago Are town in Oyo State for a while, was also hotly pursued.
On Monday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde reported that some rebels who were escaping from the North had tried to establish camps close to Fashola Farms in Oyo State.
The Nigerian Tribune was informed by sources that the governor’s suggested location, which was first seen as a good fit, is roughly five kilometers from Fashola Farms; however, security personnel have since thwarted the covert scheme.
These terrorists are using the Kamoko forest, which runs from Kaduna via Niger and connects Kwara and Oyo States via Old Oyo National Park, as a path to enter the South West.
One insider said that every attempt was being made to foil the terrorists’ operation, saying, “They intend to establish a base around the South-West and when security men got the hints, a hot pursuit was undertaken, leading to some arrests.”
Before a gathering of his associates, the terrorists’ linkman in Oke Ogun had intended to find a suitable location, according to another independent source. The agents had foiled the plan and dispersed the bid for the hidden base.
Security forces in the North West state of Kaduna, the North Central states of Niger and Kwara, and the South West states of Oyo, Osun, and Ogun States have already been put on red alert in response to the development, it was discovered, in order to prevent any attempt to set up a camp or base in the South West.
A traditional worshiper in Iseyin, Oyo State, was detained by security personnel for attempting to stir up religious strife, according to sources who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune.
In an attempt to incite conflict between followers of the various religions in some areas of Oyo State, it was learned that the guy was attempting to refute some statements made in the Holy Quran and also intended to approach the Bible similarly.
Security authorities in Oyo and Ogun States reportedly worked diligently to have the man caught, despite the fact that he reportedly fled to Lekki in Lagos State.
