The United States (US) and Britain on Sunday, October 23, 2022 warned of a possible terrorist attack in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Abuja, especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among other targets.
Nigeria is fighting an Islamist insurgency mainly in the northeast.
But in July, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a raid on a prison in Abuja. The incident led to the illegal release of around 440 inmates; raising fears that insurgents were venturing from their enclaves.
The US Embassy in Nigeria said there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically Abuja. It added that shopping malls, law enforcement facilities and international organisations were among places at risk.
“The US Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice,” the embassy said in an alert to citizens in Nigeria.
The United Kingdom government warned that its citizens in Nigeria should stay alert due to an “increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja.”
“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists,” it said.
Insecurity, which has spread across Nigeria, is a major issue for voters when they go to the polls next February to elect a new president to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry was not immediately available to comment.
Meanwhile, the Tactical Team of the Police Command in Ebonyi has raided three camps of the outlawed IPOB operatives; arresting two suspected members of the gang.
SP Chris Anyanwu, Spokesperson of the command, disclosed this at a news conference in Abakaliki on Sunday; adding that the IPOB camps were located in a thick forest close to Opeke River, in Omege village; Agba Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
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Anyanwu said the team also recovered assorted arms and ammunition, military uniforms and many incriminating exhibits.
“The operation was spearheaded by the Command’s Tactical teams, assisted by the military and DSS in the state.
“It was prompted by quantum pieces of reliable evidence, professionally elicited from interrogation of Nnamdi Ngwuta; aka State Commander, number three and another operative of the outlawed group, Felix Ogudu, who were earlier arrested.
“While accessing the Camps, the combined teams were ambushed by the criminal elements with rains of sporadic shooting in their direction.
“Without hesitation, the allied team swiftly responded and engaged them in same manner and of course their superior fire power subdued the miscreants.”
