The Federal Government has moved to reinforce security around critical infrastructure in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State after a leaked internal memo from the Nigeria Customs Service revealed that fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province, Boko Haram, Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen are planning coordinated attacks on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kuje Correctional Centre, and a military detention facility in Wawa, Niger State with ISWAP fighters reportedly having already infiltrated parts of the Federal Capital Territory in preparation.
The Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed on Thursday that security measures have been proactively strengthened at airports and custodial centres, while security analysts warned the government to act decisively on the intelligence to avoid repeating past failures where detailed warnings were received but attacks still occurred.
In a separate but related development, the military announced that 744 former insurgents and victims of violent extremism have graduated from the Federal Government’s de-radicalisation programme under Operation Safe Corridor a programme the Chief of Defence Staff described as a strategic tool to complement military operations by addressing the human dimensions of the conflict.
The two-page internal memo, dated April 13, 2026, and signed by Deputy Comptroller General Timi Bomodi, who heads the Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation unit, disclosed specific intelligence about the planned attacks.
The document identified four terrorist groups involved in the plot: ISWAP, Boko Haram, Ansaru, and JNIM indicating an unusual level of coordination among groups that have historically operated with varying degrees of independence and sometimes rivalry.
Most alarmingly, the memo stated that ISWAP fighters have already infiltrated the FCT in preparation for the attacks on the airport and Kuje prison suggesting the threat is not merely aspirational but operational, with personnel already in position.
The document noted that the planned airport attack bore similarities to Islamic State strikes on aviation facilities in Niamey and Tahoua in the Niger Republic, suggesting the terrorists may be attempting to replicate a proven operational pattern inside Nigeria.
The primary objective of the attacks, according to the memo, appears to be the release of detained insurgents a tactic that has been successfully employed before.
The intelligence comes against a backdrop of previous successful attacks on the same targets.
In July 2022, a coordinated attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre by multiple terrorist groups led to the release of 64 detainees a massive security failure that demonstrated the vulnerability of Nigeria’s custodial facilities to coordinated assault.
Three months later, in October 2022, terrorists attempted to breach the Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State in a bid to free detained insurgents. That assault was repelled and several attackers were killed or arrested.
The Sadiku Boko Haram faction, which operates alongside Ansaru and JNIM in the vicinity of Kainji Lake National Park, moved from Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State to the Kainji axis in July 2025, where it kidnapped more than 300 students and staff at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri.
The same group has been linked to the abduction of more than 100 women and children from Woro in Kwara State, and Kasuwan Daji and Konkoso in Niger State — demonstrating its operational capacity across multiple states.
Multiple security agencies confirmed they have taken proactive steps in response to the intelligence.
The Airport Police Command spokesperson, Adeola Muhammed, assured that security operatives remain fully alert.
“The command is always aware of potential security threats, and we are prepared to scale up measures as the situation demands. Whether you are entering or exiting the airport, you will be thoroughly screened,” Muhammed stated.
He added that inter-agency collaboration has strengthened intelligence gathering and response capacity: “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.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed it had heightened security at all its facilities across the FCT. Spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi expressed confidence that the police and army were already handling the threat.
“We are sure the police are handling this threat already, and a section of the army too. The one that has to do with Corrections, they are taking close measures at their facilities,” Akinlabi stated.
The Nigerian Correctional Service placed all custodial centres on high alert nationwide, particularly in the FCT. Spokesperson Jane Osuji urged Nigerians to remain calm.
“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,” Osuji stated.
The Customs Service directed its operatives to strengthen surveillance around the airport and strategic assets, ordered thorough screening of all visitors to its facilities, and deployed specialised anti-smuggling and intelligence units to reinforce security at identified vulnerable points.
Security analysts expressed concern that past failures to act decisively on intelligence warnings could be repeated.
Chidi Omeje warned that credible intelligence must be matched with proactive countermeasures.
“The very clear thing the government should do is to take it seriously, to take intelligence reports seriously. We’ve had such experiences before where warnings were detailed, yet the predictions came to pass,” Omeje stated.
He noted that states surrounding the FCT — including Niger and Kogi — remain vulnerable, making Abuja susceptible to infiltration by armed groups.
“These contiguous states are already facing serious security challenges, and attackers can easily slip in to wreak havoc. Critical infrastructure such as airports and correctional facilities are natural targets,” Omeje stated.
Security expert Lekan Jackson-Ojo criticised what he described as a pattern of poor response to intelligence warnings, citing instances where security deployments were either inadequate or prematurely withdrawn.
“Over time, we have seen cases where intelligence reports were received, but the response was ineffective. In some instances, security personnel were deployed briefly and withdrawn before any attack occurred, leaving communities exposed,” Jackson-Ojo stated.
He cautioned against concentrating security resources solely in Abuja at the expense of other vulnerable locations.
“They must beef up security in the FCT, but not at the detriment of other states like Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. If all attention is shifted to Abuja, it creates loopholes elsewhere, which these groups can exploit,” Jackson-Ojo warned.
He also raised concerns about the politicisation of security issues: “Security has been politicised. Statements have been made about alleged sponsors of insecurity, yet no concrete action has followed. This weakens public confidence and emboldens attackers.”
In a development that juxtaposes military force with rehabilitation, 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism graduated on Thursday from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe.
The breakdown of graduates by state of origin reveals the geographic concentration of the insurgency: 597 from Borno State alone (80 per cent of the total), 58 from Yobe, 15 from Kano, 12 from Bauchi, 10 from Adamawa, five from Kogi, four from Nasarawa, three each from Ebonyi and Katsina, two each from Abia, Anambra, Niger, Plateau, and Sokoto, and one each from Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Kebbi.
The programme also included nine foreign nationals: four from the Niger Republic, two each from Burkina Faso and Chad, and one from Cameroon. Of the 744 graduates, 733 are Muslims and 11 are Christians.
