Department of State Security Seizes Arms in Akwa Ibom State

The Department of State Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, has seized arms and light weapons stockpiled to disrupt the 2015 elections in the state.

It was learnt that operatives of the DSS on undercover operations have been mopping up arms in the state while suspects had been arrested for interrogation and prosecution.

The state Director of the DSS, Mr. Toma Minti, said in Uyo on Saturday that the morale of his men had been high, adding that they had exhibited the determination to check crime in the society.

Minti, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Fubara Duke, said the DSS in the last few months had prevented many criminal operations, adding that working in close collaboration with other security agencies aided the command’s operations.

According to Minti, the relative peace experienced in the state was the outcome of intense reconnaissance by the DSS operatives in the state.

He said, “As we arrest them, we retrieve the arms they have acquired ahead of the 2015 elections in the state.

“Policing the state effectively requires collaborative efforts by the security operatives and the civil society.

“We urge the public to always volunteer information about crimes in their neighbourhoods to the DSS. We can assure our informants that their identities will be highly protected.”

He added that the security threat posed by the Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram, required vigilance and collective measures to stem it.

“Nigeria is facing a serious threat of war; people should not think that the fact that the insurgency is happening only in the North-East does not mean it cannot be extended here.

“We urge journalists to apply caution in reporting the activities of the terrorists,” he said.

  - Punch