If you see it, report it.
That’s the instruction from National Security Minister Edmund Dillon to citizens following several audio recordings of warnings of attacks on local malls by the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist network between tomorrow and Sunday, which made the rounds on social media.
“We ask all citizens to be vigilant: if you see it, report it,” Dillon stressed yesterday. (See Page A5)
T&T’s security systems were on high alert yesterday following circulation of several social media messages between 8.45 pm on Monday and up to 10 am yesterday regarding the threat.
An hour after the last message yesterday, around 11 am, Dillon issued a statement saying local intelligence agencies were working to authenticate the origin of the threats. By 4 pm yesterday, confirming the army and police were in the forefront of efforts, Dillon told the T&T Guardian: “We’re progressing.”
The T&T Guardian obtained three of the social media messages. The first was on Monday night and featured a male voice apparently speaking to someone. The person warned of the attacks by ISIS on T&T malls between Friday and Saturday or “Thursday, Friday, Saturday.”
Among statements, the person said: “...My boys inside contact me and tell me they planning a strike to hit the malls in T&T - ISIS...”
He advises people to call their family and friends to let them know what was “going on ...because it was on a down low.”
He said: “Let mummy know, the sisters know... keep it real moderate.” He also said the information was coming “through the grapevine from inside ‘the hole’” and to “stay away from the mall... play it safe.”
A second message on Monday night, with a different male voice, said “word” had come across from someone named that “the ISIS was planning to detonate some bombs sometime from Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday... one ah dem days.”
The voice said: “All you could take it for kicks or granted but I hear it from a Muslim and didn’t take it on.”
The person also said to “spread the word.”
A third message, from a heavier voice, yesterday claimed the first message by the person warning of an attack belonged to the soldier who was killed yesterday.
National security agencies began working on the matter just after Monday’s first message in what was described as “heavy ground work” which continued yesterday. The T&T Guardian learned an area near the Diego Martin mosque was searched in the early hours of yesterday.
Dillon’s statement, issued an hour after the third message yesterday, called on citizens to not be guided by rumours and to remain calm and vigilant.
“Report any suspicious activity,” he advised.
Dillon said he convened a meeting early yesterday with all operational heads from the T&T Defence Force, Police Service and intelligence agencies to reinforce execution of the ministry’s crime-fighting strategies. The meeting focused on deterrence, detection and prosecution.
He said findings by the intelligence agencies on the social media messages “will be generated in a timely and accurate manner” and the ministry and agencies were continuing to work together to do all that was necessary to ensure the safety and security of the public.
Quizzed by the Opposition in the Senate on the message and steps being taken to address the “attack” threat, Dillon replied: He said history had taught T&T painful lessons in 1970 and 1990, “thus, very robust, proactive measures are currently being used by national security and intelligence apparatus to maintain a level of stability, peace and good order.”
On what citizens should do, Dillon reiterated people should be vigilant, observe their surroundings and take cognisance of where they were. “Security begins with the individual. If they see anything suspicious, inform the authorities,” he added.
Not us, says Abu Bakr
Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader, Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, yesterday distanced himself from the social media messages which threatened attacks by ISIS on local malls.
“If people have such information (as in the messages), they should have taken it to the National Security Minister. That’s the responsible thing to do... not just call friends... let the minister take the appropriate steps,” Abu Bakr, 75, told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview.
“That’s what I would do if I had information that someone was trying to destabilise my country, I’m a Trini... if something like that (attack) happens it would affect all Muslims in T&T.”
Islamic Front leader Umar Abdullah, who said he received the messages from a Venezuela source, said security officials had also called him about it but he said he believed the messages were “pure mischief” or politically motivated.
He added: “Still, we cannot take anything for granted so security should be heightened. This situation will also show if the Strategic Services Agency can deal with things like this.”
Former National Security Minister Gary Griffith also yesterday warned citizens to be careful, not fearful.
“A new trend has emerged of ‘advisories’ being passed and even becoming viral on various matters through social media regularly. These advisories are unfounded, most being extracted from North American scenarios in small cities, with the insertion of names of places in our country... unfortunately, these messages are being passed between citizens due to the absence of our own Government and law enforcement officials making a statement on matters,” he said.
“So citizens have now seen it fit to become their brother’s keeper, which has included unfounded security advisories being passed on social media and causing even more panic. I wish to advise the public on this matter regarding a planned ISIS attack this weekend in our country: We need to be careful not fearful.”
Griffith added: “The terrorist’s role is to ‘threaten’ the use of violence to cause fear. Citizens should not fall prey to this by those who either want to cause such panic or feel obliged to spread such propaganda. We should take advisories solely from the authorised agencies.”
He too advised citizens that “if you see something, say something.”