But for the vigilance of men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police, the story would have been one of bloody destruction, with heavy casualties in Abuja, the country’s capital, and Enugu, the political capital of Igbo land in the country’s South-East.

The foiling of the bombing missions was reported minutes ago in two separate stories by the Lagos newspaper, Vanguard.

In the case of Abuja, the paper said that “authorities of the Nigerian Army Garrison headquarters in Abuja, foiled a suicidal plot by the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram sect members to carry out a Christmas/New Year celebrations bombing of the federal capital territory.”

“Towards this end, two drums loaded with explosives, several sizes of cans including those of vegetable oils and palm oil converted to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS), about six AK 47 rifles and timing materials were recovered from the hideout of the plotters,” the report said.

In yet another breaking news, the paper reported that “an attempt by four persons to blow up the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu with explosives was, Thursday, foiled by operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) of the Enugu State Police Command.”

It said that “the suspects, whose identities had been kept secret for security reasons, were apprehended while driving to the airport at about 8:30am Thursday,” adding:

“The four suspects including the driver of their vehicle with registration number including KJA 359 AP were heading to the airport when the EOD operatives halted them.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest. He disclosed that when the vehicle was searched by the operatives, some items believed to be dangerous fireworks contained in two cartons, one packet of celebration thunder of ten shots candle were discovered in the vehicle.

•Photo: Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.