The security agents of the two countries through joint intelligence sharing and military cooperation, had discovered that members of the sect, who had been dislodged from their enclaves in the North-east because of the ongoing military expedition in the area, had fled to Niger Republic and were regrouping for counter-offensive.
However, their plots were uncovered before they could carry out the attacks on their targets.
Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said thursday in Abuja, that the sect had recruited more hands with which they had planned to launch the attacks on some communities in the northern states.
"The security agents also arrested some insurgents, including a top Boko Haram commander," he added.
This is coming as the Nigerian troops that returned from the Malian operations have arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, to boost the operation of the special forces engaged in the enforcement of state of emergency rule in the state.
Olukolade said: "The plan by a band of terrorists who relocated to Niger Republic to remobilise and rearm insurgents with the aim of carrying out fresh terrorist attacks on some Nigerian communities has been foiled.
"The leader of the group who had fled Nigeria when the terrorist camps were sacked was reportedly recruiting fresh hands and training them for renewed terrorist activities in Nigeria".
He added that the intention of the group was to attack some towns around the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.
According to him, intelligence operatives of the Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had been on the trail of the leader until his arrest in Karanga, Niger Republic, on Saturday with the cooperation of Nigerien forces.
"His other accomplices were later picked up in other villages in Nigeria. They are currently being interrogated", he said.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources have warned that the end of bombings might not be in sight.
This is just as a security expert and President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, noted that the bombings in Kano showed that the Boko Haram threat was grave.
The sources said residents of some northern states should be warned to keep off viewing centres, drinking joints and most importantly, crowded ceremonies that would likely be targeted by the terrorists.
One of the sources said states such as Niger, Plateau, Kano, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno have allegedly been earmarked for bombings by the sect.
The source added that intelligence gathering by operatives also uncovered a plot by the sect to bomb crowded places, hence the warning for people to exercise caution and keep off such areas.
He said although security operatives were a step ahead of the insurgents, it would be wise if the residents were more security conscious by avoiding such likely targets.
He added that it was through such accurate intelligence gathering that the military was able to round up 42 Boko Haram members, who had migrated to both Lagos and Ogun States from the north.
He said: "We are on top of the situation and for security measures, we cannot disclose the modus operandi we have put in place to checkmate the threat to avoid tipping off the terrorists.
"But whilst we are doing our job, it would go a long way to help us work if citizens are more conscious of their environment. We are in unfriendly times and so all must be on guard to fight this people together."
However, Ekhomu has raised fears that the displacement of the sect members from the North due to strong enforcement measures in the area would only force them to migrate elsewhere.
Speaking against the backdrop of the 42 suspected terrorists arrested in Lagos and Ogun States, he urged Nigerians to be vigilant in order to prevent future terrorist attacks.
In a related development, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State yesterday alerted the public to the likelihood of the insurgents attacking the state during the Eid- el- Fitri celebration.
The task force in a statement by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said: "In the continued efforts to destroy all acts of terrorism in Borno State, the Joint Task Force (JTF) wishes to alert citizens and residents of the state of the impending plans by Boko Haram terrorists to carry out massive attacks and bombings in Maiduguri metropolis and other parts of Borno State any moment from now and during the Eid-el-Fitr Sallah celebration."
He urged residents of the state to be security conscious and report any suspicious person or item to security agents.
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