The Nigerian Army has commenced an investigation into the leakage of a classified Department of State Services intelligence report warning of planned attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in parts of Adamawa and Borno states.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that senior officers at the 232 Battalion in Yola, Adamawa State, have launched an internal probe to identify the personnel responsible for circulating the confidential security document, which was originally sent by the DSS to alert the military to impending attacks.
A security source familiar with the development said the leaked document had already been received and registered by the battalion before it found its way into the public domain.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said, “If you see the document, it was already punched in the registry of the 232 Battalion.
“It was after that an officer snapped it and sent it out to whoever he or she wanted for reasons best known to the person.”
He lamented that the leak had triggered unnecessary panic among residents.
“The sad aspect is that people are now panicking. That was why the DSS quietly alerted the 232 Battalion to be on the alert over the pending attacks, but unfortunately the document was leaked out,” the source added.
Another military officer confirmed that the battalion had begun an investigation into what he described as an act of sabotage capable of undermining national security.
“There is nothing that can stop us from fishing out those behind the leaked document from the DSS.
“We must fish out the bad eggs among us. Nigeria’s national security cannot be compromised for personal selfish interest,” the officer said.
The leaked intelligence report, dated July 27, 2026, was addressed to the Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola.
According to the document, the DSS warned that intelligence indicated that suspected Boko Haram insurgents were planning coordinated attacks in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State following the reported collapse of a ceasefire arrangement.
The report stated that the terrorists were allegedly planning to abduct top government officials, councillors, district heads, religious leaders and residents in the affected communities.
It also identified the district head of Michika and his son as among those allegedly being targeted for kidnapping.
The intelligence further indicated that insurgents had already deployed surveillance teams to monitor activities in the affected areas ahead of the planned attacks.
In response to the threat, the DSS advised the Nigerian Army to collaborate with forest guards and local hunters to strengthen security in the vulnerable communities and prevent the planned operations.
(Punch)
