18th June, 2014
The Federal Government said on Wednesday that a plot by insurgent group, Boko Haram to bomb Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory with bombs planted in petrol tankers has been uncovered.
Mike Omeri, Coordinator of the National Information Centre who announced this said the plot was planned to be carried out in the next few days but has been halted by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
Omeri, who briefed journalists in company of Marilyn Ogar, the spokesperson for the DSS, said intelligence report gathered by the secret police revealed that the sect members will seize petrol tankers at gunpoint and fill it with improvised devices.
The NOA DG therefore urged residents of Abuja to be very vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement by petrol tankers.
“The Nigerian Security Services had received intelligence report to the effect that insurgents intend 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 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,” Omeri said.
Omeri also dismissed claims that the arrest and ongoing screening of 486 travellers arrested by the military in Abia State last Monday was targeted at particular group of persons or individuals.