Intelligence community angry over Customs indiscretion on terrorists in Abuja; red flag in Anambra

▪︎ “What we are doing”, security source

By Chuks Moses

Nigeria’s intelligence community is on the boil over a report on the presence of terrorists encamped in and around Abuja, even after a co-ordinated response in neutralising the terrorists is on-going, forcing many of them to flee.

A top security source said that the memo was not supposed to come into the public domain. “It was a mischievous act,” he said in reference to the person who got the memo photographed and began the process of posting on social media.

Everyday.ng gathered that a decision was taken to get the Defence Headquarters to react to the memo, but the source admitted that it was mismanaged. “The Defence Headquarters gave the Customs intelligence report life as it confirmed the fears of Abuja residents that the memo, which was already being tagged fake on social media, was confirmed by the Defence statement”.

It was learnt that the information that was supposed to go out are the efforts taken to deal with the terrorists, including the combing of the forests. “You heard what happened in Nasarawa how women and children were taken into captivity after the men fled. These things are going on, but we have been quiet so far because we did not want to raise panic level”, the source added.

Meanwhile in Anambra State, a Boko Haram infiltration video is causing disquiet, even as the Assistant Inspector General of Poluce overseeing that flank has directed the Anambra Command to investigate the disturbing video

The AIG in charge of Zone 13, Ukpo Anambra state, Nigeria Police Zone 13 in Ukpo, Anambra State, Danmallam Mohamed, instructed the Commissioner of Police, Anambra, CP John Abang to immediately investigate and report back on the disturbing video about the arrival and distribution of a hoard of Fulani insurgents in Anambra communities.

According to a statement from the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer(ZPPRO), DSP Nkeiru Nwode, ” the Nigeria Police Zone 13 in Ukpo, Anambra state has come into knowledge of a viral vid-eo purporting an exodus of elements whom, according to the source, purported to have been Fulani insurgent migrants into Agulu and Adazi areas of Anambra State by a barrage of motorcycles.

“The content of the video also stated that the migration was intended to wreak mayhem on some communities of the state and called on the people to be vigilant and resist any attempt at heisting their localities. The video went on to allege that there was an assemblage of these suspicious characters at the Hausa Quarters in Awka wherefrom their journey took off.

“Germane as it could seem to be, the Assistant Inspector General of Police; Danmallam Mohammed… warns that while raising alarms on security, caution should be adopted so as not to incite the public against law and order and cause disaffection, tension and false security impression on the people and the land.

“The AIG has directed the Anambra State Command Commissioner of Police; Abang John … to tighten the security of Anambrarians and also to wade into the video and examine the the contents so shared and get back to the Zone for clarification.

“Consequent upon the forgoing, the AIG implored the citizens to be calm and go about their legal duties without fear of harassment.”

Recall that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), embarrassed by a leaked memo that caused panic among Abuja residents, scrambled a denial that was lame, having been overtaken by a confirmatory response by Defence Headquarters.

The NCS said that it has begun an investigation into the authenticity of a leaked document detailing whereabouts of Boko Haram terrorist camps in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, despite the fact that the document was signed by Customs Comptroller in charge of Enforcement at the headquarters, H.A Sabo.

LSpokesman of Customs, Joseph Attah stated that classified documents bordering on national security issues are not meant for public consumption, particularly when security agencies are relying on such documents to nip in the bud insecurity happenings, according to Tribune newspapers.

According to the Customs spokesman, “We are not sure of the source of that document. We will begin Investigation to confirm the authenticity of that document.”

The internal memo signed by the Comptroller, Enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters, H.A Sabo, and titled “Re: Intelligence on national security”, the agency stated that, “Information reaching the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) reveals the existence of Boko Haram Terrorist Camps (BHT”s) in and around the Federal Capital Territory.

“Further reports have it that they are planning to attack some selected targets within the territory. They are reported to have set up their camps in the following identified enclaves:

“Kunyam Bush along airport road off DIA Staff Quarters-Abuja; Robochi/Gwagwalada Forest; Kwaku forest, Kuje, Abuja; Unaisha forest in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State and Gegu forest, close.to Idu town in Kogi State.

“Consequently, you are to be at alert and security conscious of your environment at all times.

“Ensure wide circulation please,” the circular which was copied to the office of the Zonal coordinators; office of the Customs Area Controllers; office of all CC Marine commands; office of CC FOU, A, B, C, and D; office of Coordinators operation Ex-Swift Response; Office of Coordinators CGC Strike Force; and office of the CC, Customs police stated