DSS: Boko Haram plans to bomb Abuja with fuel tankers
The Department of State Security Services (DSS) has said the Boko Haram sect is planning to bomb Abuja in the next few days with seized fuel tankers.
The information, the DSS said, was obtained through intelligence reports. It said the sect would seize petrol tankers at gunpoint and fill it with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other types of explosives.
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja at the agency’s daily briefing. He was with the Deputy Director of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar.
Omeri urged the public to be on the alert, particularly when they see any tanker driving dangerously.
He said: “The Nigerian security services have received an intelligence report that insurgents intend to seize petrol tankers and plant IEDs in the tankers and drive them to crowded places in Abuja.
“Against this backdrop, we 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.
“…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 added that the screening of 486 travellers in Abia State on Monday was not targeted at any group of persons or individuals but aimed at enhancing the nation’s security.
The NOA chief said the kingpin of the Boko Haram sect, who was arrested during the investigation, had been profiled by the DSS since 2007 and had been on its watch list.
He said: “The identification of the kingpin during the investigation led to further questioning of the large movement of persons travelling and not having more than N1,000 on each of them.
“Clearly, their mission was suspicious and had to be thoroughly investigated. We, therefore, appeal for the understanding of the public in allowing our security agencies to carry out their legitimate duties.”
