The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly deployed officers on horses and motorcycles in the capital, Abuja, amid reports that jihadists are planning to carry out attacks in the capital.

In a statement cited by Daily Trust website, police spokesperson in Abuja Mariam Yusuf said the deployment was meant for "intelligence gathering" and urged residents to remain calm.

“The patrols will be conducted in line with the peculiarities of every terrain within the [Abuja] territory. The team has adopted the use of motorcycles, horses and other technical means of gathering intelligence to checkmate criminality within the FCT [capital],” Ms Yusuf was quoted as saying.

There have been reports that Boko Haram militants were targeting the capital, with the Central Bank of Nigeria issuing a security advisory to its staff across the country.

However, police said such "mischievous" reports were meant to create tension in the capital.

Recently, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said Abuja was not safe after suspected Boko Haram took control and hoisted its flags in Kaure and Shiroro local government areas of Niger State.