Updated: Panic as SSS, soldiers recover bombs in Lagos

There was confusion early Thursday morning as men of the Department of State Security Service and military officials recovered explosives in Ijora-Badia area of Lagos State
Two people, one suspected to be a Hausa man and the other said to be a Chadian, were arrested and whisked away to Abuja by the SSS.
The police in the state however denied that any explosive was recovered or that anybody was arrested.
A source said that the arrested suspects had packed unconfirmed number of explosives in bags, which were carefully kept in the ceiling of the house where they were arrested.
A resident, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking, said: “Some SSS men and policemen came to our area early this morning and recovered some bombs.
“Those who are close to the house said that the bombs were packed in some bags and kept in the ceiling.”
The security officials also reportedly recovered two A K 47 rifles from the building, which were also taken with them to Abuja.
It was further gathered that the suspected owner of the house had just about one month ago let out the apartment to the suspects.
The recovery of the explosives instantly created panic among residents of Ijora-Badia, with most of them apprehensive of the fact that there could be more bombs in the community.
The spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said she was not aware of the development.
The monarch of the area, Oba Fatai Ojora, said that he had begun investigations into the incident and that efforts were on to identify the owner of the house.
The spokesman, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Kingsley Umoh, confirmed the arrests.
Umoh said there was no cause for alarm and residents should go about their lawful duties without fear.
He said: “The Nigerian Army is carrying out a proactive approach.
“We are raiding every nook and cranny of the state in order to rid it of criminal elements.
“We are not ignorant of the insecurity in the country so we are carrying out preventive measures and we want to make sure that Lagos is safe for all its inhabitants.
“The raids have been in collaboration with sister agencies – the police and others.
“It is the OP MESA of the Army that is at the forefront of the raids and we have recorded many successes of late as we have also arrested some soldiers who were found wanting.
“I will not be able to brief you fully about Thursday’s raid.”
Umoh added that more than 36 persons were arrested recently during routine raids and they are under investigation.
Reacting to the arrest, the Lagos State Director of the SSS, Achu Olayi, also said the raid was a routine one and investigations have not shown that the suspects belong to any terrorist group.
It can be recalled in February, officers of the SSS uncovered a an alleged Iranian terror network in Lagos State, arresting an alleged leader of an Islamic sect, Abdullahi Berende, with two others over suspicion that they were the foot soldiers of terrorists organisations in Nigeria.