NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENTS FOIL ISIS/BOKO HARAM PLOT TO BOMB UK AND US EMBASIES

Nigerian security forces say they have foiled a plot by ISIS-linked Boko Haram militants to bomb the British High Commission and US Embassy in the capital Abuja.

The Department of State Services announced that it had arrested five suspects who were planning attacks.

A DSS official said a suspected Boko Haram member who was arrested on March 22, in north-eastern Yobe state, confessed details of the plot.

That led to the arrests of the five plotters, who were based in Benue State, in the country's middle belt, and the Federal Capital Territory, on March 25 and 26.

The official said in a statement: "The group had perfected plans to attack the UK and American embassies and other western interests in Abuja.

A spokesperson for Britain's Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: "We are grateful for the support we receive from the Nigerian security authorities in protecting UK diplomatic staff and premises in Nigeria.

"We are in regular contact with the Nigerian security authorities concerning potential threats to UK interests in Nigeria.”

The Islamist terror group Boko Haram has close ties with ISIS and has killed more than 20,000 people during an eight-year insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

More than two million people have been forced to flee their homes since 2009 due to the group's reign of terror.

Boko Haram, led by Abubakar Shekau, is bent on creating an Islamic state and removing Western influence in Africa's most populous nation.

It has been condemned worldwide for attacking innocent civilians and abducting hundreds of young girls and women.

Victims who escaped have told stories of captive girls and women being raped and forced to marry Boko Haram fighters.

The group has used child soldiers in suicide attacks and gun battles with government forces.

Last month it was revealed Boko Haram paid a 14-year-old girl just 40p to detonate her suicide vest in a public place.

In its latest travel advice for Nigeria, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises Britons to be "particularly vigilant" around the Easter period as there is a "continuing high threat from terrorism", including attacks in public places and abductions.
It said attacks could occur anywhere in the country and major towns and cities, including Abuja, remain particularly at risk.

Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year, the FCO said.The US State Department has issued similar warnings for Americans.