Security agencies have moved to reinforce airport and jail facilities in Abuja and neighboring Niger State following a suspected insurgent plan.
The Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Correctional Service told newsmen on Thursday that they have proactively increased security around airports and custodial facilities.
The Washington Post reported on an official memo from the Nigerian Customs Service that revealed terrorist preparations to assault the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, and a prison facility in Niger State.
According to the report, the attacks are planned by fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province, Boko Haram, Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen.
The document, dated 13 April 2026 and signed by Timi Bomodi, Deputy Comptroller General in charge of the Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation section, warned that the terrorists are also targeting a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State.
The two-page paper claimed that ISWAP members had already infiltrated the FCT in preparation for an attack on the airport and the Kuje prison in order to free captive insurgents.
The paper indicated that the planned airport attack resembled Islamic State attacks on aviation facilities in Niamey and Tahoua, Niger Republic, implying a likely aim to recreate the pattern within Nigeria.
In July 2022, a concerted attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre by multiple terrorist groups resulted in the release of 64 captives.
Three months later, in October 2022, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Wawa Cantonment in Borgu LGA, Niger State, in order to liberate incarcerated rebels; however, the attack was repulsed, and several assailants were killed or apprehended.
The Sadiku Boko Haram cell, which operates with Ansaru and JNIM in Kainji Lake National Park, relocated from Shiroro LGA in Niger State to the Kainji axis in July 2025, kidnapping around 300 students and staff at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri.
The organization has also been linked to the kidnapping of over 100 women and children in Woro, Kwara State, and Kasuwan Daji and Konkoso, Niger State.
In response to the memo, the Customs Service directed its agents to increase surveillance around the airport and other strategic assets, ordered a thorough screening of all visitors to its facilities, and deployed specialized anti-smuggling and intelligence units to reinforce security at identified vulnerable points.
Speaking about countermeasures, Adeola Muhammed, spokeswoman for the Airport Police Command, stated that the agency is still fully awake and in control of security operations.
He promised that the airport’s security architecture is built to keep up with new threats, pointing out that the aerodrome’s various layers of inspections can detect any suspicious activity.
According to him, information gathering and inter-agency collaboration have continued to improve the command’s response capability.
“The command is always aware of potential security threats, and we are prepared to scale up measures as the situation demands. Whether you are entering or exiting the airport, you will be thoroughly screened,” he noted.
Muhammed also added that strong synergy among security agencies, particularly in intelligence sharing, has been key to the safety at the airport.
“There is effective collaboration between all security agencies when it comes to intelligence sharing, and as a result, the command is and will always remain a step ahead of any threat,” he stated.
The Immigration Service, for its part, reported that it had increased security measures at all of its locations in the FCT in response to the intelligence assessment on the conspiracy.
The NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, emphasized that the service was taking no chances, even though he was confident that the police and army were already reacting to the danger.
Speaking to our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday, Akinlabi stated, “We are sure the police are handling this threat already, and a section of the army too.’’
The spokesperson noted that the correctional service was also responding to the issue, saying, “The one that has to do with corrections, they are taking close measures at their facilities.”
The Nigerian Correctional Service reminded Nigerians of increased security measures at its facilities, asking them to be calm and go about their everyday lives without worry.
Jane Osuji, a spokesperson for the service, stated that officials had placed correctional centers on high alert around the country, notably in the FCT.
“We want to assure Nigerians that our facilities in Abuja and other states are on high alert. We have taken proactive steps. We also want to assure Nigerians not to panic; they should go about their lawful activities without fear or apprehension,” she said.
Addressing the development, security analyst Chidi Omeje urged the government to take intelligence reports more seriously, noting that previous failures to respond decisively have resulted in unnecessary assaults.
“The very clear thing the government should do is to take it seriously, to take intelligence reports seriously. We’ve had such experiences before where warnings were detailed, yet the predictions came to pass,” Omeje said.
He stated that the country’s current security atmosphere remained unstable, emphasizing the importance of credible intelligence from government agencies as well as proactive counterintelligence measures and enhanced public communication.
“There is heightened insecurity across the country. If such intelligence comes from credible sources, authorities must take precautionary steps—monitor the situation closely, place security forces on alert, and properly inform citizens on what to do,” he added.
Omeje also warned that states surrounding the FCT, including Niger and Kogi, remain vulnerable, making Abuja susceptible to infiltration by armed groups.
“These contiguous states are already facing serious security challenges, and attackers can easily slip in to wreak havoc. Critical infrastructure such as airports and correctional facilities are natural targets,” he said.
Another security specialist, Lekan Jackson-Ojo, criticized what he saw as a pattern of poor responsiveness to intelligence warnings, citing earlier situations in which security deployments were either inadequate or prematurely withdrawn.
“Over time, we have seen cases where intelligence reports were received, but the response was ineffective. In some instances, security personnel were deployed briefly and withdrawn before any attack occurred, leaving communities exposed,” Jackson-Ojo said.
He also expressed concern about the politicization of security matters, claiming that it has harmed effective response and accountability.
“The problem is that security has been politicized. Statements have been made about alleged sponsors of insecurity, yet no concrete action has followed. This weakens public confidence and emboldens attackers,” he said.
Jackson-Ojo cautioned the authorities not to focus security resources entirely on Abuja, at the expense of other vulnerable areas.
“They must beef up security in the FCT, but not at the detriment of other states like Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. If all attention is shifted to Abuja, it creates loopholes elsewhere, which these groups can exploit,” he added.
