Nigerian authorities said Wednesday that insurgents were planning attacks in the capital Abuja, calling on the public to remain vigilant.
"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," Mike Omeri, coordinator of the center responsible for daily briefing on the insurgency, told reporters.
Omeri called on Nigerians to remain vigilant as the insurgents may have planned attacks in the coming few days.
"Against this backdrop, we hereby 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," he said.
Omeri called on Nigerian citizens to report "any broken down tanker" to security agencies.
"Similarly, we are using this opportunity to appeal to the public to be on the alert particularly when they see any petrol tanker driving dangerously," he said.
Meanwhile, Omeri denied reports that security agencies were singling out a certain community in their operations.
"Let me state clearly that the operations of the security agents are strictly geared towards national peace and security. No group of people is targeted for victimization as is unfortunately being alleged," he said.
Earlier this week, security forces arrested 486 northerners in the southeastern state of Abia, promoting fears of ethnic profiling.
Nigeria has been hit by attacks in recent years by the militant Boko Haram group, which first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption.
In the five years since, the shadowy sect has been blamed for numerous attacks – on places of worship and government institutions – and thousands of deaths.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
