An alert that confirms the US state department’s authorisation of its non-emergency government employees and government employee family members to leave its embassy in Abuja, has come to light, indicating that terrorists are planning attacks on major public infrastructure in Abuja and Niger state.
According to a memo by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the planned targets include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and a prison facility in Abuja, as well as a military detention centre in neighbouring Niger state.
The Associated Press, which obtained the memo, says Nigeria’s security forces are on high alert over the threat.
The NCS warned that the plan is similar to an attack in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, in January, when terrorists attacked an air force base, wounding four soldiers and damaging an aircraft.
“Their intention is to release detained terrorists and inflict significant damage on critical aviation infrastructure.
“An analysis of the report reveals a concerning correlation between the potential targeting of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja and recent large-scale attacks on aviation facilities in Niger Republic, notably in Niamey and Tahoua.
“This suggests a possible intent by terrorists to replicate the attack patterns within Nigeria,” the newswire service is reporting.
Linking the authorisation to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, the updated travel advisory stated that although most of the overall risk indicators remained, Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the ‘Do not travel’ list “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping”.
However, the federal government was quick to explain that the travel advisory issued by the United States department of state is only a “precautionary measure based on internal protocols”.
