Isaac Samuel
An internal memo within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed a planned coordinated attack by terrorist groups targeting key facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and parts of Niger State.
The memo, dated April 13, 2026, and issued by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, T. Bomodi indicated that intelligence reports point to an imminent plot by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province to strike strategic national assets.
Among the identified targets are the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Kuje Custodial Centre, both considered high-value infrastructure within the FCT.
The alert also mentioned a planned assault on the Wawa Military Detention Facility in Niger State.
According to the document, operatives linked to ISWAP have already infiltrated Abuja to facilitate the attacks, reportedly under the leadership of Ismail Dan Hajja, described as the head of the group’s Kano cell.
The plot involving the Wawa facility is said to be coordinated by a Boko Haram faction working in collaboration with extremist groups, including Ansaru and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen.
The memo stated that the attackers’ objective is to free detained fighters and cause significant damage to critical infrastructure, particularly aviation facilities.
It also noted a pattern between the threat and recent attacks on airports in neighbouring Niger Republic, suggesting an attempt to replicate similar operations in Nigeria.
“In the light of the above, there is an urgent need to enhance security measures and increase patrol around critical infrastructure, particularly the FCT Command and the NAIA. You are aslo to strengthen surveillance and protective coverage around NAIA and other strategic assets within the FCT and its environs.
“All visitors to Customs Commands & facilities should be thoroughly screened and persons without plausible reason for visits should not be granted access. You are to emplace proactive and coordinated measures aimed at preempting and mitigating any potential threats, to all identified vulnerable points within you”, the memo stated.
The development comes amid growing concern over Nigeria’s security outlook.
Recently, the U.S. Department of State authorised the departure of non-essential staff and their families from its embassy in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security environment.
The U.S. government also maintained Nigeria at Level 3 on its travel advisory scale, urging its citizens to reconsider travel due to risks including terrorism, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
Further compounding concerns, the Institute for Economics & Peace ranked Nigeria as the fourth most terrorism-affected country in its 2026 Global Terrorism Index, noting a 46 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2025.
