Word has been let out that there’s a planned attack by some terrorists during the Christmas holiday. Hence, the military and other security agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service have intensified security within Abuja.
The information was disclosed in a letter dated December 23, 2021, and titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’. According to the immigration authorities, the information on the impending attack was from the Presidency. The terrorists were said to be coming from Mali.
The letter was signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Idris Jere.
The letter was addressed to all sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country. They include those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as immigration officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others.
It read, “The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a Security Report (URGENT) from the Presidency. The import is about a looming attack on Nigeria’s Capital City, Abuja, between 17th and 31st December, 2021. The planned attack is purportedly being led by one Drahmane Ould Ali aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.
“The report indicates the duo is en route Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY; that these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.
“It is further reported that Ali holds an Algerian diplomatic passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim. Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all our entry/exit points- air, land, sea/marine, including, but not limited to, surveillance, rigorous search on persons and vehicles, transhumance, to effectuate the immediate arrest of these terrorists/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.”
Strategies in place to avert attacks, no cause for alarm – Immigration
When contacted, the spokesperson for the NIS, Amos Okpo, confirmed the authenticity of the letter but assured that the service had put in place measures to prevent the proposed attack.
Okpo said, “The letter is a normal intelligence we do issue across our formations. This just happened to be in the public. There is no cause for alarm. The residents should not panic. I can assure you that the needful is being done to avert the planned attack.”
Plan can never work, FCT security network intact, says Guard Brigade
Also, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, said the planned attack would not work out, as thehe security structures in the FCT were intact.
He said, “The brigade has recently been conducting several operations in the FCT to ensure it is adequately secured. The brigade is always on top of the security situations. Residents should not panic. The security situation in the FCT is under control.
“The aim of every terrorist group is to instill fear in the populace. That may be what they are trying to do. Their plans can never work, the whole security structures in the FCT is intact. “
However, some residents have expressed fear over the proposed attack on the nation’s capital.
The President, Mab Global Estate in Karsana, Ahmed Thedicha, said the security operatives should not take the threat likely.
He said, “An attack at this point in time would not be good in the nation’s capital. The security operatives should act fast and take the threat seriously.”
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