Security forces in Nigeria have foiled a major terror attempt planned by Islamic extremists in Lagos city, the country's economic hub.
At least 45 alleged members of the terror sect, Boko Haram, have been identified as the brains behind the plot by the Department of State Services (DSS), the nation's secret police, Xinhua news agency reported.
They were arrested following intelligence report on their alleged plan to attack Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, one of Nigeria's high brow residential areas, the DDS told a court on Friday.
The attack was said to have been slated for September soon after the arrival of the suspects in Lagos.
The court ordered the remand of the 45 suspects in Kirikiri prisons in the state.
The security operatives told the court that the suspects had volunteered confessional statements, adding that arms were recovered from them.
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In August,the DSS announced the arrest of 19 suspected terrorists of Boko Haram in Lagos, Enugu, Plateau, Kano and Gombe States.
They were described as commanders and front-line members of the sect who had played active roles in its bloody campaign in the northeast.
Nigeria has been battling with transnational crimes which pose a serious threat to national security.
Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group, has attacked Nigeria's police and army, politicians, schools, religious buildings, public institutions, and civilians with increasing regularity since 2009.
The dreaded Boko Haram sect have continued to carry out their incessant attacks mostly in northern states in Nigeria, killing scores of innocent lives, injuring thousands and displacing dozens of thousands from their homes.