The Department of State Services has said the recent spate of bomb attacks recorded in Yobe, Kano, Borno and Plateau States was a ploy by Boko Haram insurgents to distract security forces.
The service however, stated that the sustained air raids and intense combat operations by the military on Boko Haram insurgents’ positions in the North-East, have effectively degraded the capacity of the terrorists.
The DSS in a statement by its spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, on Friday in Abuja, stated that the insurgents are in disarray and have resorted to taking out their anger on hapless civilians and soft targets.
It therefore called on operators of motor parks to properly screen vehicles, passengers and luggage entering their premises.
The agency also advised motor park managers to look out for new faces, who show up as drivers and bus conductors.
It further cautioned members of the public to be vigilant at all times, adding that they should also desist from boarding unmarked vehicles along the road.
“It has become evident that following the successful sustained air raids and intense combat operations by the military on insurgents’ positions in the North-East which have effectively degraded the capacity of the terrorists, its members are now in disarray and have resorted to taking out their anger on hapless civilians and soft targets.
“This development accounts for the recent spate of attacks recorded in Yobe, Kano, Borno and Plateau States with intent of distracting security forces”, the statement said.
The agency further encouraged residents of recaptured towns and communities to return to their homes.
On the mass movement of residents of some states to their home towns as a result of the forthcoming general elections, the agency said “adequate steps have been taken by security forces to guarantee security of lives and property”, hence, no cause for alarm.
The service called on citizens with useful information of untoward activities in their localities to forward same to security agencies.
“We wish to restate, once more, the commitment of security forces to bring to an end the activities of terrorists and unscrupulous elements in our country”, the DSS stressed.