Terrorists and bandits are planning attacks on Lagos, FCT, Katsina, and three other cities— NSCDC

By Adeleye Kunle

Following intelligence reports that Boko Haram terrorists, as well as those of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have increased plots to attack the nation’s capital, Abuja, and five other states, including Lagos, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has placed all of its state commands on high alert.

This came as military sources confirmed yesterday that a Lieutenant and five soldiers were still missing following last Sunday’s terrorist attack in Abuja on troops from the 7 Guards Battalion and the 176 Battalion of the Guards Brigade, which killed an Army captain.

The Corps stated in a leaked memo dated July 25 and signed by the Deputy Commandant General, DCG, Operations, Dauda Mungadi, that two separate bandit groups have also concluded plans to attack Abuja and others.

Terrorists threaten to kidnap Buhari and El-Rufai, and an attack on Presidential Guards Troops in Abuja has left an army lieutenant and five soldiers missing in action.
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“We have credible intelligence that Boko-Haram and the ISWAP terrorist groups have mobilised fighters and high calibre weapons, particularly Rocket Propelled Grenades, RPG, launchers, Anti-Aircraft, AA, guns, and General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMGS, which they intend to deploy for the offensive in Katsina State,” the memo stated.

“In another development, two separate bandit groups are planning coordinated attacks on the North-West, North-Central, and South-West (Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, FCT, and Lagos),” the statement said.

“As a result, the Commandant-General has directed you to increase deployment in all strategic locations, including schools, worship centers, and critical national assets in your respective states, in order to counter any potential threats from these criminal elements.” Please treat this as an emergency.”

There is fear in the nation’s capital and other parts of the country as a result of increased attacks on security formations, including the Presidential Guards, in Abuja.

Also yesterday, military sources confirmed that a Lieutenant and five soldiers were still missing following last Sunday’s terrorist attack in Abuja on troops from the 7 Guards Battalion and the 176 Battalion of the Guards Brigade, which killed an Army Captain.

This comes as it has been revealed that both Captain Samuel Attah, who was killed, and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman, who is still missing in action, are Kogi State natives.

According to sources, while those injured in the ambush were receiving medical attention at a military medical facility in Abuja, efforts were underway to locate and rescue the missing officers.

According to one source, some soldiers who escaped the ambush with bullet wounds may have paid the ultimate price, but they would still be considered missing in action, MIA, until they were found.

Recall that the Guards Brigade spokesman, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, confirmed on Monday that terrorists ambushed troops attached to the Presidential Guards Brigade while they were conducting patrols in the Bwari area, as a result of intelligence that the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, was under attack.

The Law School’s administration was said to have alerted the public that terrorists had dropped a letter indicating an impending attack.

Captain Abakpa stated that the terrorists attacked the troops who were already combing the area to locate and flush out the terrorists when they responded to the Law School’s and residents’ fears.

Captain Samuel Attah is said to be the son of a retired Nigerian Army Colonel, Col. Ahmodu Babanawa, from Ibaji/Okpo in Olamaboro Local Government Area.

Late Attah was from Kogi State’s Ibaji Local Government Area.

We had three casualties — Army spokesman

However, the Nigerian Army said last night that three of its troops from the guards brigade’s 7 battalion were killed when terrorists attacked them in Abuja on Sunday.

Speaking about the attack, Godfrey Abakpa, the brigade’s spokesperson, stated that no soldiers were abducted by the gunmen, but that the troops suffered three casualties.

“There were no abducted soldiers; we only had three casualties, and they were evacuated,” he said.

He also stated that the troops had removed “the criminals” from the area and were continuing an exploitation operation in the area of the attack.

The IGP has ordered the deployment of additional assets and personnel to strengthen Abuja’s security.

Alkali Baba Usman, the Inspector General of Police, also ordered the deployment of additional assets to beef up security in Abuja yesterday.

CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, stated last night that the Police were leaving no stone unturned in ensuring adequate security of lives and property for residents.

“We are not leaving any stone unturned in fortifying the Federal Capital Territory and its environs,” he said.

“The IGP has ordered additional asset deployment to strategic areas of the FCT, while the Force Intelligence Bureau, among other agencies, has been charged with robust intelligence gathering and information sharing.”

“All residents of the FCT are urged to collaborate and work together with the Police and other security agencies to prevent any ugly incidents in and around the FCT.”

Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed condolences over the deaths of Army officials who were killed in an ambush on the Presidential Brigade Guard on Sunday by suspected terrorists after responding to a distress call from the Nigeria Law School, Bwari.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, Bello said it was even more tragic that two of the fallen gallant officers, Captain Samuel Attah and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman, were illustrious sons of Kogi State.

The governor condemned the terrorist ambush, calling it a heinous act and a display of cowardice, and urged authorities to act quickly and capture those responsible to prevent a repeat.

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