Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia, with Our Reporter, Abuja
Intelligence report has revealed that terrorists including Boko Haram and ISWAP are amassing weapons to launch coordinated attacks in three states of the country.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which raised the alarm in a leaked memo, identified the states as Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
NSCDC revealed that Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province terrorists, from the intelligence it gathered, had mobilised their fighters and had equipped themselves with dangerous weapons like Anti-aircraft guns, general purpose machine guns, among others, in preparation for the coordinated attacks.
Katsina is the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose convoy had last month been attacked during a visit to the state although his car was not on the convoy.
Information about the intelligence was contained in a leaked report addressed to all commands dated July 25.
This is coming barely three weeks after similarly report was issued, and a day after terrorists ambushed and attacked a patrol team from Presidential Guard in Abuja, resulting in the alleged death of some soldiers although the military had denied losing any soldier.
The military only admitted that some soldiers sustained injury during the attack but had been evacuated to the hospital.
The report titled, “Re: Heightened plots by terrorists to stage coordinated attacks in parts of the country” was signed by the Deputy Commandant General Controller in charge of Operations, DD Mungadi.
It read, “We have received credible intelligence that Boko-Haram and the ISWAP terrorist groups have mobilised fighters and high calibre weapons particularly Rocket-propelled Grenade launchers, Anti-Aircraft guns, and General Purpose Machine Guns which they intend to deploy for the offensive in Katsina State.”
According to the report, Kaduna, and Zamfara states are part of the states that might be hit by terrorists.
“In another development, two separate bandit groups are plotting coordinated attacks on North-West, North-Central and South-West (Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, FCT and Lagos respectively).
“Consequently, the Commandant General has directed you to scale up deployment in all strategic places including Schools, Worship Centres, and Critical National Assets in your respective states, to checkmate any possible threats by these criminal elements. Please treat as urgent,” the report added.
Terrorists have increased their attacks in key cities and targets including Abuja since after their successful invasion of Kuje prison where they freed their detained members as well as other inmates numbering over 1000.
Meanwhile, veteran journalist with African Independent Television (AIT), Mr Gbenga Aruleba, had warned that a terrorist attack on Abuja was imminent. He issued this warning Tuesday in Facebook post.
“I believe planned attacks by terrorists on Abuja are imminent. Today, I saw two guys on motorcycle inside Life Camp. Everything about them, the bike, their looks and their movements had all the telltale signs of bandits and terrorists that we have seen.
“I followed them as they were driving round from one road to another and when they noticed I had been following them for quite a while, they sped off and disappeared inside the area, so close to the FCT ministers official residence.
“My instinct on issues like this hardly fail me. We are indeed not safe.
“My worry is that the government is giving us a false sense of security in Abuja. There is nothing to show any preparedness, beyond the usual regime protection. We are in God’s hands,” the ace producer wrote.
