Scurity agencies have intensified measures at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and major custodial facilities in the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence of an imminent terrorist plot.
The Federal Government acted after an internal memo from the Nigeria Customs Service warned of planned attacks by factions of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ansaru and JNIM on the airport, Kuje Custodial Centre and a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State.
The memo indicated that ISWAP fighters had already infiltrated parts of the FCT with the aim of freeing detained insurgents and causing major damage to critical infrastructure.
Spokesperson for the Airport Police Command, Adeola Muhammed, confirmed that operatives were on full alert. “The command is always aware of potential security threats, and we are prepared to scale up measures as the situation demands. Whether you are entering or exiting the airport, you will be thoroughly screened,” he said.
Muhammed added that inter-agency collaboration had improved response capacity: “There is effective collaboration between all security agencies when it comes to intelligence sharing, and as a result, the command is and will always remain a step ahead of any threat.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service said it had stepped up checks across its facilities in the capital, while the Nigerian Correctional Service placed all custodial centres on high alert.
Spokesperson Jane Osuji assured the public: “We want to assure Nigerians that our facilities in Abuja and other states are on high alert. We have taken proactive steps. We also want to assure Nigerians not to panic; they should go about their lawful activities without fear or apprehension.”
Security agencies including the police, immigration and corrections service have increased surveillance, visitor screening and deployment of specialised units at vulnerable points.
Security analysts urged decisive action on the intelligence, warning against past lapses where detailed warnings were not fully acted upon.
The development comes amid persistent jihadist threats in parts of northern Nigeria, even as the military on the same day marked the graduation of 744 repentant terrorists and victims of violent extremism from a deradicalisation programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede described the rehabilitation effort as complementary to military operations, stating it demonstrated “a statement of progress, a demonstration of national resolve and a testimony to the power of strategic thinking in addressing human dimensions of conflict.”77ee89
No immediate claim of responsibility or further details on the timing of the alleged plot have emerged.
