The acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, put the police commissioners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Plateau State on the alert over possible attacks by the terror sect.
Although the police sought to down play the alert yesterday by saying they were prepared to deal with any threat to peace, the warning came on the heels of an attack on the Kwankwashe community in Suleja LGA of Niger State on Wednesday.
One man was killed while 12 residents were abducted during the attack.
Suleja LG shares a border with the FCT.
Apparently acting on the police warning, the authorities of the University of Jos yesterday asked students of the institution to vacate the hostels for two weeks.
Acting IGP Usman Baba, in a May 19, 2021 circular addressed to the FCT and Plateau State Police Commissioners, said intelligence report revealed that terrorists were planning to attack Abuja and Jos.
His Principal Staff Officer, Idowu Owohunwa, an acting CP, who signed the memo, said: “Intelligence report at the disposal of the Inspector-General of Police has uncovered plans by Boko Haram terrorists to attack major cities in the country, particularly in Jos, Plateau and the FCT, Abuja.
“The proposed attacks would be coordinated by the duo of Muhammad Sani, a Boko Haram commander domiciled in Sambisa Forest, and his deputy, Suleiman, hibernating around Lawan Musa Zango, Gashua, Yobe State.
“In light of the above, it is the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you review your security architecture across all critical government infrastructures and police facilities in your jurisdiction with a view to checkmating the dastardly plans of these marauding terrorists.”
Soon after news of the alert hit the social media, the Force Headquarters issued a statement asking residents of the FCT and Plateau State to go about their businesses without panic.
It said citizens should see the alert as a “re-assurance of the intelligence depth capacity and operational preparedness of the Nigeria Police.”
Continuing, the police said: “The IGP’s directive, which is a deliberate, intelligence-driven and proactive measure, is designed to prepare the law enforcement community for comprehensive response to any threat to lives and property.
”The IGP noted that the security alert, rather than becoming a source of panic to the citizens, should instead send a message of re-assurance to them about the intelligence depth capacity and operational preparedness of the Nigeria Police to preemptively deal and contain any threat to public peace and security.”
Baba added that the alert did not suggest an imminent attack in the two states.
“The Police High Command therefore calls for calm, urging citizens to go about their normal activities with renewed sense of vigour, patriotism and vigilance as the police continue to work with other relevant stakeholders to keep our public space safe,” the statement said.
