Plans To Attack Abuja: NSCDC alerts FCTA, to tighten security
Story from Abah ADAH, Abuja
Having uncovered plans by members of the ISWAP terrorist group to launch coordinated and spontaneous attacks on soft and hard targets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has alerted the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA) to beef up security within and around the capital city.
The NSCDC FCT commandant, Peter Maigari, who issued the Red Alert in a restricted memo dated Friday, July 8, 2022 and entitled; ‘Renewed Threat Of Attack By ISWAP Terrorist On Targets Within The FCT’, said: “Certified intelligence reveals that members of the decimated terrorist group, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have concluded plan to launch more coordinated and spontaneous attacks on selected targets within the FCT and have declared war against Christians in Nigeria.”
A copy of the alert, which was addressed to the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, obtained by Neptune Prime, further said: “Intelligence abounds that ISWAP terrorist group has claimed responsibilities of the Tuesday, July 5, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, releasing their adherent members.
“The foregoing is to enable them hibernate in targeted communities and re-strategise for further terrorist activities, especially on soft targets to keep the agenda of the group alive to the public.”
Meanwhile The United States Embassy had earlier warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling on the airport road in Abuja following the attack.
Also, United Kingdom citizens were warned to be cautious of travelling to 19 states in Nigeria among which are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
They were advised to only embark on essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa , Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba.
In a statement titled, “Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022”, the US Embassy noted that crime has become endemic throughout Nigeria.
Neptune Prime reports that on Tuesday night of July 5, 2022 gunmen attacked the correctional facility in the FCT with sophisticated weapons including explosives, and over 800 prisoners, including Boko Haram suspects in the facility, were said to have escaped during the attack.
READ ALSO: Gunmen attack Kuje Prison as residents scamper for safety
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mamu, who is also publisher of the Desert Herald newspaper, said he pre-informed security operatives of the threat of an attack on the correctional facility.
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