Lagos is on edge after security operatives dramatically apprehended two alleged members of the notorious Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) right in the heart of the city. The suspects, Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were picked up by the State Security Services (SSS) in Apapa, sending shockwaves through Nigeria’s commercial capital and raising urgent questions about the city’s safety.

According to sources, the duo had recently escaped the chaos of the North-east,ISWAP’s usual base of operations,and sought to blend into Lagos. Their arrest, which took place at 8:45 am on Sunday, is being touted as a major win for security forces, who acted on what they claim was “credible intelligence.” Both men are now in custody, with authorities scrambling to uncover their motives and connections.

ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, is infamous for its reign of terror in the North-east, leaving a trail of violence, abductions, and humanitarian crises. Now, with the group’s suspected operatives surfacing in Lagos, fears are mounting that nowhere is safe from their reach. Security analysts have long warned that ISWAP’s ambitions extend far beyond the North-east, and this latest incident appears to confirm those fears.

While officials insist there’s “no evidence” the suspects were plotting an attack in Lagos, the mere presence of ISWAP-linked individuals in the city is being treated as a red flag. “The threat is real,” a security source emphasized, urging residents to remain vigilant as investigations continue.

Attempts to get an official comment from the SSS were met with silence. The agency’s media unit claimed ignorance of the arrests, and since the departure of their former spokesperson, the SSS has gone even more secretive, citing operational security.

Experts are sounding the alarm, warning that ISWAP’s move into Lagos could be part of a calculated strategy to destabilize Nigeria’s most vital city. With its massive population and economic significance, Lagos is a prime target for any group seeking maximum impact.

Authorities are hailing the arrests as proof of their commitment to keeping Lagos safe, but the incident has exposed just how vulnerable the city might be. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on the SSS to see if they can prevent further infiltration and keep the specter of terrorism at bay.