The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, on Friday, warned that the Al-Qaeda terrorist network was planning to bomb some parts of Nigeria.

Okiro, who did not give the locations which the group, led by the world’s most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, planned to bomb, however revealed that security reports indicated that the threat was real and could happen anytime. The IG, who spoke at a conference for senior police officers in Obudu, Cross River State, charged them to be diligent regarding the threat.

He particularly called on the Assistant Inspector-General, Surveillance, Mr. Israel Ajao, to ensure that all parts of the country were well monitored. He also called on the Commissioner of Police (Border Patrol) and the commissioners of police in the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that the Al-Qaeda threat did not materialise in their areas of jurisdiction.

Okiro said, “The Al-Qaeda network has threatened to send time bombs to Nigeria. The AIG Surveillance should intensify surveillance while the CP Airwing, CP Border Patrol and the CPs of all the commands should be on the alert and ensure that these items (bombs) do not pass through their end.”

To ensure collaboration between the police and other security agencies on this matter, Okiro said the planned eviction of SSS personnel from police barracks would be stopped forthwith. A senior police official explained that the directive was meant to “ensure that there is no bickering among security agencies in this war against terrorist attacks.”

In 2002, bin Laden reportedly urged Muslim faithful in Nigeria and some other countries to overthrow their governments. In 2004, some Nigerians were linked to Al-Qaeda and, in fact, some are currently on trial.

Okiro also expressed worry over the use of army and police uniforms by criminals. In order to put a stop to the practice, the IG directed CPs to personally interrogate persons arrested with police and military uniforms in order to trace their sources. He also directed that marketers of these uniforms should be arrested, urging the offices of the Force Public Relations Officer and the spokesmen of the state police commands to “issue public statements reiterating the illegality of the use of police and army uniforms by unauthorised persons.”

Also speaking at the event, the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Effiong Cobham, called on the police to make the Niger Delta safe, adding that the activities of militants were scaring investors away from the region.