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Abuja Terrorism Alert: Experts Advocate Technical Intelligence
On Sunday, the United States and Britain warned of a possible terrorist attack in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among other targets.
The most populous black nation is fighting, in the northwest, an Islamist insurgency. In July, the group claimed responsibility for a raid on the Kuje prison in Abuja, which freed around 440 inmates.
The recent alarm is raising fears that insurgents might attack again.
Sources disclosed that Nigeria’s security apparatus is not happy about the alarm raised by the United States Embassy.
The US embassy, according to sources, got their information from Nigeria security but was angry that the alarm would jeopardise intelligence work against the insurgents.
“The alarm raised by them did not do any good but helped the terrorists to achieve their aim which is to incite fear in people,” a source said.
Security experts, who spoke with DAILY POST, noted that Nigeria needs to strengthen its human resources and empower its Technical Intelligence to defeat terrorism in the country.
“The Army Cyber Warfare command in Abuja should deploy members of its organisation to the dark web as undercovers to unearth valuable information as ‘the kind of terrorist group operating from this part of the world (Nigeria) are not averse to the use of technology and the dark web, to minimize the risk of intercepting their communication,” Nicholas Ibenu, a security researcher, and founder stated.
According to him, “lasting peace comes with credible efforts. On the current threats from the US reports, it is imperative that citizens residing in Abuja and environs remain extra vigilant in places with large numbers of people and check the location of emergency exits around themselves and report suspicious situations.
“Subsequent to this, hint personnel should be deployed, most especially around the Northern Central Axis of the country (Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger & Plateau) to employ clandestine sophisticated methods like surveillance and intelligence gathering that’ll aid the enforcement of authorities to tackle the upcoming possible threats.
“Furthermore, for a long-lasting peace in matters of Nigerian National security solutions, it should look forward to adopting community forces, equipping and training more hint personnel across the 36 States. They should as well be trained in counter-terrorism strategies and tactics, asymmetric warfare, and desert warfare and adopt more use of conventional security (Cyber warfare) than traditional.”
Another security expert, Nnamdi Anekwe, in a separate interview said the country needs to strengthen its Human and Technical Intelligence to defeat terrorism.
According to him, “the human intelligence have techniques using human being as agent of collecting information from parties that are basic to any form of terrorist activities using the enemy and collecting information from them while the technical intelligence is that the government has resources to use every means to go through telecommunications network and cyber network to extract information from the enemy and use that information to counter their activities.
“Government has been on the front line in terms of battling Boko Haram in the North. In fact, they’ve chased Boko Haram in the far North East, especially in Sambisa forest and the bandit in the North West.
“They have also chased them away from the areas where they are operating. They’ve been successful in the past two months. All they just need to do is to pick up the offensive and work on gathering more intelligence to counter any attack that might come up.”
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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