A communique by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) suggests that there may be terrorist attacks in Abuja, the nation’s capital, 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.
These terrorists, the NIS commander noted, plan to enter Nigeria from Mali using the Niger Republic route.
The planned assault is 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.
Okoto in his statement on behalf of the NIS noted that the duo is 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 are already embedded in the country.
Intelligence gathered by the NIS suggests that Ali holds an Algerian diplomatic passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim.
Consequently, the NIS Commander, who wrote on behalf of the Comptroller General, 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.
