A security document has revealed President Muhammadu Buhari avoided the Super Eagles match with Black Stars of Ghana at the M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday after a warning of an imminent bomb attack.
In a memo from the State Security Service on March 28, first shared on Twitter by journalist David Hundeyin, the security agency warned of an imminent threat blamed on suspected elements of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group the Buhari regime has blamed for all degrees of the security crisis in recent months.
“Intelligence available to the Service indicate [sic] imminent attack on M.K.O Abiola National Stadium, Abuja 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.
The president was initially billed to be amongst the audience for the live World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana in the Nigerian capital.
But on Tuesday, he instead sent a delegation after the stern warning from the DSS.
A spectator at the stadium said; “He didn’t attend the match in person. He sent a delegation from the presidency. When his name was announced, Nigerians in the stadium booed him.”
A spokesman for the SSS did not immediately return a request for comments.
It came as bandits continued their reign of terror on the vast swathes of the country’s northwestern territories.
On Monday night, bandits bombed a train station travelling between Abuja and Kaduna city, leaving many killed, wounded, and abducted.
