The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has raised the alarm over a planned attack on Abuja, Nigeria’s nation’s capital by a group of Nigerian terrorists led by an Algerian national.
The alert was contained in a leaked internal memo dated December 23, 2021.
The attack, according to the memo signed by a Comptroller of Immigration Service, Edirin Okoto, is planned to take place between December 17, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
Okoto issued the memo on behalf of Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Idris Jere, to controllers of immigration service in the entire nation’s land, air and sea borders as well as the sector commanders of the border patrol corps.
Comptrollers in receipt of the signal include those at Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as Immigration officers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
“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 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 are 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 Algerian Diplomatic Passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim,” the memo read.
He said: “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.”
NIS Public Relations Officer Amos Okpu, who confirmed the authenticity of the document, however, said, the memo was “supposed to be an internal document and not meant for the public.”
