Immigration warns of foreign terror attack in Abuja during festive season

There is now increased security within Abuja following a warning from the Presidency about a planned attack by foreign terrorists during this festive season.

The military, other security agencies and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), are now on high alert.

This is contained in a letter which was dated December 23, 2021, and titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’. The NIS authorities informed its officers that the information was from the Presidency.

It was signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Idris Jere.

Okoto claimed that the terrorists were travelling from Mali, one of whom possessed a diplomatic passport

The letter was sent to sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country, including those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders.

Immigration officers stationed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others, also got the letter.

“The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a Security Report (URGENT) from the Presidency. The report 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,” it read in part.

It added that “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,” it added.

The statement directed that concerned security agencies “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.”