Security agencies have increased surveillance and strengthened important sites in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after receiving intelligence about a possible insurgent plot against key infrastructure.
The Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service disclosed on Thursday that they have taken steps to secure airports and custodial centres.
This action follows an internal memo from the Nigeria Customs Service warning of planned attacks by insurgent groups.
The report says terrorists are targeting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kuje Custodial Centre, and a detention facility in Niger State.
The memo, dated 13 April 2026 and signed by Timi Bomodi, Deputy Comptroller General of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, said the terrorists are also targeting a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State.
The memo said groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen may be involved.
The two-page document claimed that ISWAP fighters have already entered the FCT to prepare for attacks on the airport and Kuje prison, aiming to free detained insurgents.
Security analysts pointed out that this alleged plot is similar to past attacks in neighbouring Niger Republic, especially on airports in Niamey and Tahoua
Nigeria has faced similar events before, such as the 2022 attack on Kuje prison, when dozens of detainees escaped.
Three months later, in October 2022, terrorists tried to break into Wawa Cantonment in Borgu LGA, Niger State, to free detained insurgents. Security forces stopped the attack and killed or arrested several attackers
The Sadiku Boko Haram faction, which works with Ansaru and JNIM near Kainji Lake National Park, relocated from Shiroro LGA in Niger State to the Kainji area in July 2025. There, it kidnapped over 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri.
Adeola Muhammed, the spokesperson for the airport police command, said that security at the airport has been improved.
“The command is always aware of potential security threats, and we are prepared to scale up measures as the situation demands,” he said.
He added that multiple layers of screening and intelligence-sharing mechanisms are in place to detect suspicious activities.
“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 Nigeria Immigration Service said it has intensified monitoring across its facilities in the FCT.
Its spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, expressed confidence that security agencies are responding effectively to the threat.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, Akinlabi said, “We are sure the police are handling this threat already, and a section of the army too.’’
Similarly, the Nigerian Correctional Service said custodial centres nationwide have been placed on high alert.
“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,” spokesperson Jane Osuji said.
Security experts have urged authorities to take intelligence reports seriously, warning that previous attacks occurred despite early warnings.
They also cautioned against concentrating security efforts solely in Abuja, noting that neighbouring states such as Niger and Kogi remain vulnerable to infiltration.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 744 former insurgents and victims of violent extremism have graduated from the Federal Government’s de-radicalisation programme under Operation Safe Corridor.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, described the initiative as a strategic approach to addressing the root causes of insurgency.
“This is not a reward but a deliberate strategy to reduce violence and promote long-term stability,” he said.
