Former intelligence officer, Wing Commander Eli Waziri (RTD), has said that despite early warnings of an attack in Plateau State, authorities failed to take timely action to prevent it.

Waziri made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“I got some information and sent it out to somebody in the government, noting that an individual had made certain utterances and should be monitored. It’s not difficult to locate where these people are,” he said.

According to Waziri, intelligence monitoring is meant to be proactive rather than reactive.

“We are supposed to get information about issues that are disturbing the peace of society and the country. Even in this situation in Jos, there were threats indicating that an attack would occur after Sallah,” he added.

Speaking further, Waziri questioned how individuals could openly threaten attacks and yet not be taken seriously.

“What is the government doing? What then is the role of the security intelligence apparatus? Does it mean they have not heard these threats or are not monitoring? As an experienced person, I can say we know our job, and there are various security agencies too, all aware of their responsibilities, including the office of the National Security Adviser,” he stated.

He also noted that other intelligence sources might have been monitoring threats but that preventive measures were still not implemented.

Anguwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State was thrown into panic on Sunday following a deadly shooting by unidentified gunmen, which resulted in the deaths of several youths.

A resident, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around the Anguwan Rukuba junction in the evening.

“The attackers just rode past and started shooting sporadically. People were running in different directions,” the resident said.

Following the attack, angry youths reportedly blocked major roads within the community, raising fears of escalating tension. (Channels TV)