Olayomi Koiki

Abuja — Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Thursday that it has uncovered Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ plans to launch widespread attacks in different parts of Nigeria.

“We are aware of some of the plans to target some critical infrastructure in the country,” said the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, during a press conference on Thursday alerting the public to the possible terror attack.

“Accordingly, we have emplaced measures to forestall such plans because some of such plans have been frustrated.”

The ISWAP threat came about 12 days after suicide bombings were recorded in Gwoza in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

The suicide attacks, in which at least 20 persons died, were reportedly coordinated by a Boko Haram faction.

Boko Haram is a rival group from which ISWAP broke away.

With the military saying on Thursday that both ISWAP and Boko Haram were planning the attacks on national infrastructure, it means a possible collaboration between the two groups cannot be ruled out. It could also mean that each group is planning to outdo the other in a supremacy struggle.

Potential targets

An intelligence information obtained by local news outlet, Premium Times on Wednesday indicated that security agencies received a high-level alert to brace up for widespread attacks by ISWAP on Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.

Facilities specifically mentioned as possible targets included the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, North-central Nigeria; the Kaduna Central Prison in Kaduna State, North-west; the Port Harcourt Maximum Prison in Rivers State, South-south, and Kirikiri Correctional Center in Lagos State, South-west.

Another potential target mentioned in the memo was the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline, a 614km-long pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to transport natural gas from the south to the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Clarion call to citizens

However, Mr Buba assured citizens on Thursday that the military and other security agencies had put measures in place to avert the terror attacks.

He also called on the citizens to support the military in the fight against terrorists by fishing out collaborators living among them in their communities.

The army senior man said terrorists are enemies of the people that must be fought and defeated.

He said troops were confronting vicious enemies that were constantly trying to kill citizens.

“In this fight, citizens must understand that we must never compromise on security. Otherwise, everyone’s security will be compromised,” Mr Buba said.

He added, “This is a situation that cannot be over-emphasised for us to live in safety and security.

“The military is doing what is needed by forcing the terrorists to pay a price for every act of aggression against citizens of the country.

“We recognise and have included this as part of our strategy to win the war.

“Overall, we have no choice but to fight for the safety and security of our citizens, to safeguard our nation and preserve our way of life as a people.”

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