Avoid Crowded Gatherings Due To Potential Threats, DSS Advises Nigerians

Avoid Crowded Gatherings Due To Potential Threats, DSS Advises Nigerians

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a warning to Nigerians, urging them to steer clear of crowded places and suspicious locations to mitigate potential threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

In a statement released on Friday, March 8, coinciding with the commencement of the Lenten season for Christians and the upcoming Ramadan for Muslims, the DSS emphasized the importance of vigilance in ensuring a peaceful environment for all citizens.

The security agency cautioned religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders against engaging in economic exploitation, sabotage, or profiteering during these significant religious observances.

“Residents are advised to remain vigilant against public dangers, especially Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Also, the general public is urged to stay informed about potential threats, avoid crowded or suspicious areas, and report any strange objects, activities, or movements of hostile elements to relevant security agencies,” the statement read.

Recognizing the sacredness of these religious rites, the DSS called on worshippers to promote understanding, compassion, and mutual respect during and after the religious exercises. The agency stressed the need for stakeholders to uphold ethical standards and ensure that religious duties are observed with dignity and ease.

Furthermore, the DSS encouraged clerics and religious leaders to prioritize empathy, cooperation, and conflict prevention beyond the specific periods of religious observance. It also urged the media to use their platforms responsibly to foster informed and accurate discussions that contribute to national security objectives.

In conclusion, the DSS emphasized the importance of tolerance, brotherhood, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among the populace. It reaffirmed its commitment to providing strategic intelligence to other security agencies to ensure a safe and secure country.

As Nigerians embark on their spiritual journeys during the Lenten and Ramadan periods, the DSS called for a reaffirmation of values such as mercy, tolerance, forgiveness, and solidarity, aiming to advance a more inclusive and equitable society for all.