Political Activist Urges Army, Security Agencies to Act Swiftly on DSS ISWAP Alerts

Usman Okai Austin, a Kogi-born political activist, has called on the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to act swiftly and decisively on every intelligence report provided by the Department of State Services (DSS).

This appeal follows a recent DSS alert warning of an alleged plan by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to launch coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States.

In a statement, Okai commended the DSS for its professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to national security, stressing that the agency remains a key player by consistently sharing actionable intelligence with sister security agencies, including the Army, Police, and Civil Defence Corps.

He noted that the prompt alert on possible ISWAP attacks in Ondo and Kogi demonstrates the DSS’s efficiency and dedication to its constitutional duty of preventing threats to internal security.

However, Okai expressed deep concern that despite this timely and credible information, other security agencies have not shown enough urgency in translating the intelligence into concrete action. He recalled a similar incident in Yelwata, where a prior DSS warning of an impending attack was allegedly ignored, resulting in the avoidable loss of lives and property.

Okai asserted that the DSS is a “credible and professional intelligence agency that has earned the trust of Nigerians.”

Therefore, he urged the Nigerian Army and other security outfits to “take every DSS report seriously and act swiftly to prevent avoidable crises.”

To enhance inter-agency collaboration, he appealed to state governors to hold regular security meetings with the heads of the Army and other relevant agencies, emphasizing that public assurances must be backed by concrete, visible action rather than mere rhetoric.

He specifically called on the governors of Ondo and Kogi States to engage closely with security chiefs in their domains to coordinate preventive measures. Okai concluded by reaffirming his support for all national security institutions and encouraging citizens to cooperate with them by providing credible information to help tackle insecurity.