The Defence Headquarters has warned of possible attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations scheduled for Wednesday,May 27, particularly in crowded civilian areas across the North-East.
The warning was issued on Monday in a statement released in Abuja by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt Col Sani Uba.
According to the military, intelligence reports suggest that remnants of terrorist groups may attempt to exploit the festive period to launch isolated attacks using sulcide bombers and improvised explosive devices.
The statement said the threats were expected mainly in densely populated locations and public gathering points. “Credible intelligence available to the Command indicates the possibility of isolated attempts by remnant Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements to exploit the festive period to carry out attacks against civilian targets using suiclde bombers and IEDs, particularly in areas of high population concentration,” the statement read.
The military said security forces had already intensified operations and deployed personnel to strategic areas to prevent any breach during the celebrations.
According to the statement, troops have been stationed at vulnerable locations across operational sectors, while surveillance and intelligence assets have been activated. “Ahead of Wednesday’s celebrations, troops have been forward-deployed to critical and vulnerable locations across all sectors of the theatre, surveillance and ISR assets have been fully activated, patrols have been intensified,” it added.
