There are fears in Abuja, the seat of power, following the leakage on social media of a memo of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) about plans by foreign terrorists to attack Federal Capital City within the last two weeks of the year.
The rattling memo is believed to have its genesis from a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to security agencies in the country.
It directed all security agencies in the country to beef up security arrangements this Christmas and New Year Holiday Season, with special emphasis on Abuja.
As a result, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has directed its sector commanders to take measures to nip the terrorist attack in the bud and rein those involved for prosecution.
The NIS, in its memo, named the brain behind the planned attack on Abuja as an Algerian, Drahmane Ould Ali, also known as Mohammed Ould Sidat.
The NIS memo to its officers reads in part: “The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a Security Report (URGENT) from the Presidency (OSGF).
“The import is about a looming attack on Nigeria’s Capital City, Abuja, between 17 and 31 December, 2021.
“The planned attack is purportedly being led by one DRAHMANE, OULD ALI, aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.
“The report indicates the duo are enroute Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY. That these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.
“It is further reported that Ali holds Algerian Diplomatic Passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim.
“Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary counter measures at all our entry/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/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja”.
