Presidency Raises the Alarm over Planned Terrorists Attack in Abuja

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The presidency, yesterday, raised the alarm over an alleged planned terrorist attack in Abuja, this festive period.

But the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has, as a result, put its officers at various border posts across the country on red alert.

The NIS said it received intelligence from the presidency that some terrorists from Mali planned to move through the Nigeria-Niger Republic border to launch an attack in the nation’s capital.

The situation has since triggered a flurry of meetings in security circles on counter measures to be adopted to preempt such eventuality.

Abuja, the nation’s capital has been on security red alert in the past two months, following intelligence of a massive influx of terrorists into the city.

The situation had led to the fencing of neighbourhoods within the city following reports of house to house attacks by presumed robbers within the city.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, recently alleged that terrorists had overrun his state and might soon reach Abuja, 120 kilometers away.

Security agencies, had, early last month, cordoned off the entry points into the city, causing traffic gridlocks, as a result of a security alert of an impending attack on the nation’s seat of power.
Intensive security patrols were also activated while security meetings were held more regularly to contain the situation.

A letter dated December 23, 2021 and titled: “Terrorists Plan Attacks in Abuja” and signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Mr. Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mr Idris Jere, was addressed to all sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country.
They included those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as immigration officers at the Murtala Mohammad International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others.

“The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a security report (urgent) from the Presidency (OSGF). The import is about a looming attack on Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, between 17th and 31st December, 2021.

The memo said the planned attack is being led by one Drahmhane Ould Ali, aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.

“The report indicates the duo are enroute 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 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,” it said.

The Department of State Security (DSS) had in November, 2021, alerted the Nigeria Customs Service over planned attacks by insurgents at border communities across the country.