Amid intelligence of foreign terrorists’ attack, IGP tightens security nationwide

…As fear grips Abuja residents

…Orders visible policing nationwide

By Uthman Salami, Denis Matthew and Ogaga Ariemu

Following  report released by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) of plans by foreign terrorists to attack Nigeria, the  Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has ordered command Commissioners of Police across the federation and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strengthen security nationwide.

This has however failed to douse tension and fear being entertained by the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Residents of FCT interviewed by Nigerian NewsDirect had expressed fear over purported attack on the city by terrorists with foreign origin.

The FCT residents also expressed fear and panic over the deteriorating security situation in the city, especially within the satellite towns as there were rumours of attacks by bandits during the Yuletide.

He directed them to initiate and implement well-coordinated crime prevention strategies and ensure round-the-clock visibility patrol towards peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.

IGP in a statement yesterday through the force spokesman, Frank Mba, noted that achieving a crime and crisis-free Yuletide was of utmost priority to the force and the nation.

He noted that the AIGs and CPs had been directed to massively deploy human, intelligence and other operational assets at their disposal to all public places including residential areas, places of worship, recreational centres, financial institutions, market places, motor parks, major highways, airports, railway stations, amongst others, to protect the citizens and critical national infrastructure.

The statement titled, ‘2021 Christmas and New Year celebrations: IGP orders round-the-clock visibility patrol,’ said, “In addition, the IGP has warned police personnel deployed for duties during the Yuletide season, particularly those deployed to secure the highways across the country, to desist from acts inimical to discipline and professionalism.

“The IGP equally enjoined citizens to cooperate with officers  deployed for the assignments, especially by being law-abiding, noting that the force remains sensitive to issues of rights violations, illegitimate use of force and has since deployed the Monitoring Unit, the X-Squad, and the Force Provost Unit on joint operation nationwide with a view to monitoring conducts of officers as citizens transit in and around the country during the festive season and holidays.”

Speaking to Nigerian NewsDirect, Moses Olohu who lives in Jikwonyi area said,  “We are living in fear as we’re hearing the rumour and we are trying to take precautionary measure.”

He stressed that as part of the precautionary measures, they have constituted a security monitoring Committee to survey their surroundings.

Hamidu Tijani in Bwari area noted that they “heard of the trending rumour and we are being extra careful now to avoid unforseen circumstances.

He added that “I have a shop at Life Camp area but I have to close around 6pm as against the 9pm before to be vigilant of the present situation.

“This is Abuja; where you are working may not be close to where you live and as it is now, if you are not with your family by 6 pm, there may be a problem because these criminals usually operate when it is dark.

“Abuja used to be peaceful but some evil persons have taken advantage of its calmness to hide and unleash terror on innocent residents who are struggling to make ends meet,” he added.

Also, reacting to the development, a Security Expert and Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Ltd, Dr Kabiru Adamu, said Federal Government should increase surveillance, create awareness among residents and exploration of diplomatic channels as crucial in tackling the threat.

According to him, “The surveillance steps listed in the publication by NIS are the first step. Increased surveillance where border points and vulnerable locations are being monitored will help identify would be perpetrators and support the intelligence gathering process.”

“The second point is the need to grow the resilience and awareness capabilities of residents through an advocacy and sensitization campaign. This will include making available the pictures of the identified persons of interests who are planning the attack and calling on the public to observe and report on them.

“Then there is the need to use our diplomatic channels to get both bilateral and multilateral support to ensure our intelligence is strengthen through surveillance and liaison sharing arrangements”.

Earlier, in a communique by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), there were suggestion that there might be terrorist attacks in Abuja between the 17th and 31st of December.

According to a statement signed by NIS’ Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, the service said it has received a report from the presidency with regards to attacks to be orchestrated by foreign terrorists.

The NIS noted that these foreigners plan to enter Nigeria from Mali using the Niger Republic route.

According to the statement by the NIS, the planned assault was purportedly being led by one Drahmane Ould Ali, aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national who is to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.

NIS noted that the duo was en route “Nigeria from Mali through Gao and the Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY.”

He added that these two had four Nigerian accomplices who were already in the country.

Intelligence gathered by the NIS further suggested that Ali holds an Algerian diplomatic passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim.

Consequently, the NIS Commander said he has been directed to request an intensifying of alert levels at the borders.

All operatives in charge were urged to emplace necessary countermeasures at all the nation’s entry and 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 as to countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.

This warning came on the heels of the DSS’s alarm over plans by terrorists to attack military bases in border towns across the country.

The secret agency also put the Nigeria Customs Service on red alert to avert the pending attacks by the insurgents on Ogun border communities and other border towns across the country, noting that the warning is based on intelligence it gathered.

In a leaked memo dated November 25, 2021, and addressed to the Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, Abeokuta, the DSS advised customs and other security agencies in the country to put counter-measures in place to frustrate the plot by the insurgents.