Security Alert: ISWAP, Boko Haram Plot Attacks on Abuja Airport, Prison Facilities — Report

Story: written by springnewsng April 16,2026

Nigeria’s security agencies have been placed on high alert following intelligence indicating that extremist groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, are planning coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in the nation’s capital and nearby regions.
According to an internal memo from the Nigeria Customs Service dated April 13 and cited by Associated Press, the planned targets include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a prison facility in Abuja, and a military detention centre in Niger State.
The memo warned that the attackers aim to free detained militants and cause major disruption to aviation infrastructure. Intelligence assessments suggest the groups may attempt to replicate recent high-profile attacks carried out in Niamey and Tahoua in neighbouring Niger Republic.
Earlier this year, armed assaults involving gunfire and explosions struck Niamey’s international airport, while another attack targeted a Nigerien Air Force base, leaving several soldiers injured and damaging military assets.
Security officials say Nigerian military and paramilitary forces have intensified surveillance and are prepared to thwart any attempted হাম. A senior customs officer noted that all relevant agencies are on maximum alert to prevent breaches.
However, when contacted, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada stated he was unaware of the memo.
Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, mass kidnappings, and communal violence. A recent report by the Institute for Economics and Peace ranked the country among the most affected by terrorism, with ISWAP and Boko Haram responsible for the majority of terror-related deaths.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of State recently approved the evacuation of non-essential personnel from its mission in Abuja, citing persistent security threats—an assessment the Nigerian government has publicly dismissed.
Despite the heightened concerns, authorities insist measures are in place to safeguard key national assets and prevent any coordinated attack.