The Nigerian Government on Wednesday said the insurgents, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram, plan to attack the Nigerian capital, Abuja, with petrol tankers loaded with improvised explosive devices, IEDs.
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, , stated this to journalists in Abuja, alongside the Deputy Director of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar
“The Nigerian Security services had received intelligence report to the effect that insurgents intends seizing petrol tankers and plant improvised devices in the tankers and drive them to crowded places in Abuja.
“Against this backdrop, we hereby call on the Petrol Tankers Association to be on the red alert and advise their members to report any attempt or seizure of their vehicles to security agencies.
“In this wise, Nigerians are also advised to report any broken down tanker in any part of the territory to security agencies. Similarly, we are using this opportunity to appeal to the public to be on the alert particularly when they see any tanker driving dangerously.” He said
The Boko Haram have carried out several attacks in the Nigerian capital, killing scores of people; including in twin bomb blasts in April in Nyanya, on the outskirts of Abuja.