Apprehension As NIS Uncovers Foreign Terrorists’ Plot To Attack Abuja

Sun News reports that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has raised the red flag over plots by foreign terrorists to attack the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Following the alarm, contained in a leaked internal memo dated December 23, 2021, which said the attack is to happen between December 17 and 31, palpable fear has gripped residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

The memo by Edirin Okoto, Comptroller of Immigration Service, 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 across the country and the sector commanders of the border patrol corps.

It 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.”

The memo said the foreigners who are planning to enter Nigeria from Mali through the Niger Republic, have four accomplices who are already in the country.

It 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.”

Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Amos Okpu, confirmed the authenticity of the memo, but expressed the regrets that it was leaked.

He called on Nigerians, and Abuja residents in particular to go about their normal activities as personnel at the borders were capable of doing their job.