News
Terrorists plotting massive attacks on Abuja International Airport, Correctional Centres, military detention centre — AP Report
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/terrorists.jpg&description=Terrorists plotting massive attacks on Abuja International Airport, Correctional Centres, military detention centre — AP Report', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/terrorists.jpg&description=Terrorists plotting massive attacks on Abuja International Airport, Correctional Centres, military detention centre — AP Report', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Terrorists are planning attacks on key infrastructure in Abuja and Niger state, according to a memo by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The Associated Press, which obtained the memo, reported that the planned targets include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and a prison facility in Abuja, as well as a military detention centre in neighbouring Niger state.
Their intention is to release detained terrorists and inflict significant damage on critical aviation infrastructure,” it reads.
According to the NCS, investigations indicate that terrorists may attempt to replicate in Nigeria the recent major attacks on facilities in Niamey and Tahoua in the Niger Republic.
“An analysis of the report reveals a concerning correlation between the potential targeting of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, and recent large-scale attacks on aviation facilities in the Niger Republic, notably in Niamey and Tahoua,” the memo said.
It added, “This suggests a possible intent by terrorists to replicate the attack patterns within Nigeria.”
On January 29 this year, gunfire and explosions rocked the international airport in Niamey, in what security sources tagged a “terrorist attack” by suspected jihadists in Nigeria’s neighbouring country.
ISWAP terrorists also attacked the Nigerien Air Force base in Niamey earlier this year. Four soldiers were wounded, and an aircraft was damaged in the attack.
“The military and paramilitary forces are all on high alert and ready to forestall the attack,” AP quoted a senior customs officer.
When contacted for comment, the NCS spokesperson, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, told Peoples Gazette he was unaware of the memo.
Over the years, many parts of Nigeria have faced security challenges ranging from banditry to Boko Haram insurgency, mass kidnappings for ransom, and farmer-herder violence.
Nigeria ranked fourth in the Global Terrorism Index released on March 19, 2026, by the Institute for Economics and Peace, recording a 46 per cent increase in deaths from terrorism in 2025.
The report said, “Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram were responsible for 80 per cent of all terrorism deaths in the country.”
Days ago, the U.S. State Department authorised non-emergency government employees and family members to evacuate its embassy in Nigeria’s capital, citing widespread insecurity.
“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach,” the U.S. said in its advisory, which the Nigerian government dismissed.
The Defence Headquarters has clarified the recent public discussions surrounding the neutralisation of a prominent terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
A collaborative operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, led to the killing of Bilal Al-Minuki.
Following the development, certain media outlets referenced a similar operation from 2024, which involved the elimination of a terrorist commander with the same name.
This has understandably raised questions regarding the identity of the individual who was recently neutralised.
In a statement signed by Somalia Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said: “It is crucial to note that in the North East region and throughout the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is prevalent among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This practice is a deliberate part of their indoctrination strategy, aimed at obscuring identities. This fact has been corroborated over the years during counter-terrorism operations in Northeast Nigeria.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki who was eliminated on May 16, 2026, has been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, possessing direct connections to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel. Thus, there is no ambiguity regarding his identity.”
The statement added that the strike represents a significant achievement in the country’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, remain dedicated to dismantling terrorist networks and will continue to disseminate verified information through official channels.
It called on the general public and the media to rely solely on authorised sources to prevent confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
Three aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were anointed as consensus candidates by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for House of Representatives seats have been disqualified by the party.
The three aspirants endorsed by Aiyedatiwa, who have been screened out, were identified as Tajudeen Adefisoye (Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency), Victor Ategbole (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency) and Samuel Arowele (Owo/Ose federal constituency).
Others not cleared along with the governor’s preferred aspirants are Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency), Morufu Ibrahim, Oyeniyi Oseni ((Akoko North-East/North-West) and Olaleye Adedipe (Akoko North-East/North-West).
With the reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants not revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, some aspirants in the state have kicked and condemned the endorsement of the anointed aspirants.
Meanwhile, there was large turnout of APC members on Saturday during the direct primaries conducted across the 203 wards of the state.
In Akur metropolis, party members arrived at the designated wards in their numbers around 8:00 am with the officials of the party doing a headcount of everyone.
At Wards 4, 5, and 8, members of the party were seen queuing behind the poster of the aspirants they are supporting.
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in some of the wards as party faithful lamented that electoral officials were not on the ground to take record of the exercise.
Six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province members, including a bomb expert, were killed early Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the explosion along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.
Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of ISWAP’s IED cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.
Military sources said the incident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key routes in the Marte axis. Authorities are considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.
BBNaija announces Season 11 audition date
‘Not same Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki killed in 2024’ – DHQ clarifies identity of dead ISWAP commander
EPL: Chelsea set to announce Xabi Alonso as new manager
-
News12 hours agoDHQ releases details about slain ISIS top leader, Al-Minuki
-
News13 hours ago
APC releases list of disqualified Reps aspirants across Nigeria
-
News23 hours agoUS and Nigerian forces kill ISIS 2nd in command in joint operation-Trump reveals
-
News18 hours agoFinal Farewell in Delta as Family, Community Honour Mama Eunice Ikpen
-
News11 hours agoVideo/Photos:Rescued alive after being buried under rubble of a collapsed building for more than 9 hours
-
News14 hours agoGumi Speaks On Killing Of ISIS Commander, Al-Minuki
-
News21 hours agoGen Otiki: Finally, Supreme Court acquits ex-GOC of all charges
-
News14 hours agoSad: Fayose loses wife to Cancer