The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has raised the alarm about an imminent attack on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, by foreign terrorists.
According to a leaked internal memo on Thursday, the attack is to happen between December 17, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
The memo signed by a Comptroller of Immigration Service, Edirin Okoto, was dated 23 December 2021.
It was issued on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Idris Jere, to the Controllers of Immigration Service in all the land, air and sea borders of the country and the Sector Commanders of the border patrol corps.
The memo read in part: “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.”
According to the memo, the foreigners who are planning to enter Nigeria from Mali through the Niger Republic, have four accomplices who are already in the country.
The memo directed personnel at the borders to; “intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all 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 terrorists attacks in Abuja.”
The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Amos Okpu, confirmed the authenticity of the memo but expressed regrets that it was leaked.
While calling on Nigerians and Abuja residents, in particular, to go about their normal activities, he assured that the personnel at the borders are capable of doing their job.
“There is no need for panic. I can assure you that our personnel at the borders will ensure that the terrorists are captured if they attempt to enter the country.
“We are working with sister agencies on this already,” he said.
