Kwara Govt Refutes Allegations Against Army, DSS, Confirms Airstrike on Terrorists

The Kwara State Government has dismissed viral claims accusing security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army, of complicity in recent attacks by suspected terrorists. The government confirmed that a coordinated airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) did occur between Kogi and Kwara States, targeting criminal elements operating in the area.

Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, issued a statement urging the public to avoid misinformation and political bickering amid heightened security tensions. He confirmed that the NAF released an official statement on Monday, September 29, announcing the airstrike, which was disseminated via its verified WhatsApp platform at 1:54 p.m. Although the statement did not appear on NAF’s other social media handles, Ajakaye said its authenticity remains intact and has not been refuted by the Air Force.

“There is absolutely no basis for the disputations. Was there a security operation last night in the area of interest? Yes,” Ajakaye affirmed, noting that both the DSS and NAF were involved in the mission that resulted in the elimination of multiple criminal elements.

He added that DSS-provided images from the operation, along with a screenshot of the NAF statement shared with editors, support the account of the airstrike.

The CPS also addressed circulating claims made in an emotional viral video, where a grieving woman accused the DSS of disarming Yoruba vigilantes while allegedly arming Fulani militia. She claimed that her husband and his brother were killed alongside several vigilantes and civilians during a bandit attack.

“They have killed my husband, I have no one,” the woman lamented in the video. “The Department of State Services gave guns to Miyetti Allah after collecting guns from Yoruba Vigilantes.”

“My husband was coming home, they broke the glass of the vehicle he was in and killed him and his brother, they killed 14 people. They killed 10 vigilantes and took away the husband and wife.”

Ajakaye, while sympathising with the grieving woman, firmly denied the allegations. He said both the DSS and the leadership of the forest guards have refuted claims that weapons were withdrawn from local vigilante groups. He emphasised that the woman’s pain is deeply acknowledged, but insisted that her claims do not align with verified facts.

“This clarification does not in any way delegitimise her grief,” he said. “May God uphold her and others in her position.”

He urged citizens to focus on the broader threat of terrorism and remain united rather than allowing misinformation to sow division.

“Politicians do not miss opportunities to wrong-foot their opponents. Average citizens… should not join such chitchat. It is not worth it,” Ajakaye said.