Police confirm plot to bomb Abuja, six other states

The Police in Nigeria has confirmed the threat to attack the Federal Capital Territory and six other states in the country.

The United States and United Kingdom missions in Nigeria had warned of possible attacks in the FCT, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe on soft targets by Boko Haram insurgents.

Following the warning, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris directed Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and personnel in the states to be on red-alert alert.

The IG also directed the CPs in the states to hold stakeholder meetings with the people in order to proffer possible ways to tackle the threat.

Speaking during a stakeholders forum organised in FCT to tackle the proposed threat, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Sadiq Bello said the Police would work with other security agencies to make sure that the threat is neutralised.

“The threat to attack the city is real; however, we want to assure members of the public that we are working in collaboration with other sister security agencies to ensure that we all enjoy a peaceful yuletide.

“The Americans, British government warned us an impending threat and it would be stupid of us not to do anything. God will not forgive us if we don’t do anything and that is why we are here”.

On how the threat would be prevented, the CP said: “We are doing a lot but we don’t want to mention the strategy so that the men of the underworld don’t take advantage of it.

“We are doing a lot especially with our sister security agencies. We have already mapped out strategies and we have already commenced that.

“It may involve massive raids, massive visibility policing, vigorous stop and search and we would also embark on intelligence gathering.

He added: “Police work is not magic, we depend on members of the public to make contribution and that is why we are urging members of the public to come up with useful information that would help us nip crimes in the bud.

“If they see people of questionable character and suspicious movement, they should come to us quickly because we want to take necessary measures to prevent the actualization of the threat.”