President Muhammadu Buhari despite being warned by the State Security Service (SSS) of an imminent attack still watched the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their second leg tie against the Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday, Quest Times can authoritatively report.
The memo warned of an imminent threat blamed on suspected elements of separatist IPOB, a group the Buhari-led government has blamed for all degrees of the security crisis in recent months.
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“Intelligence available to the Service indicate [sic] imminent attack on MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja allegedly by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) using prime improvised explosive devices on 29th March 2022.
“The attack was hatched to target the return world cup qualifiers match between Nigeria and Ghana, aimed at causing maximum casualty and embarrassment to the Government, thereby drawing local and international attention to the secessionist agenda of the dissident group.
“In view of the foregoing coupled with the planned attendance of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and other important dignitaries to honour the national team, there is the need for adequate deployment of counter security measures before and during the slated match with a view to preventing, detecting and neutralising the threats,” the memo said.
Mr Hundeyin, who runs Africa Weekly, said the memo emanated from a source knowledgeable about the development, according to Peoples Gazette report.
The president was initially billed to be amongst the audience for the live World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana in the Nigerian capital.
A reliable source who exclusively spoke to Quest Times shortly after the match that sealed the Black Stars of Ghana Qatar 2022 dream, confirmed Mr President was in attendance despite the warning by the SSS.
A spokesperson for the SSS did not immediately return a request for comments.
It came as armed bandits are terrorising vast swathes of the country’s northwestern territories.
On Monday night, bandits bombed a train station traveling between Abuja to the central Kaduna city, leaving many killed, wounded, and abducted. No groups have claimed responsibility and no suspects have been arrested over the incident.
Meanwhile, there were reports of Nigerians invading the stadium destroying facilities after the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
