Buhari: US Security Alert Does Not Mean Attack Is Imminent In Abuja; “Don’t Panic”
Security Operatives Arrest 35 Suspected ISWAP Fighters In Abuja, Amidst US Security Alerts
President Muhammadu has cautioned Nigerians that travel advice from the United States and the United Kingdom governments should not be a cause for panic, even as he asked the nation’s security establishment and citizens to continue being vigilant and careful with security.
In a statement issued October 28 by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, the President called on the citizens to remain calm, saying: “it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.
“Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream.”
President Buhari said that Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign governments’ travel advice to their citizens.
“UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations.
“Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality the world over.”
The President said that attacks are being foiled every day and that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.
“Much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential,” Buhari said, assuring: Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.
The President gives assurances that the government is on top of the security situation in the country.
Buhari said that security threats are real and have been with us for a long, saying that the nation’s military, the police, and other security agencies have shown a capability to deal with it, “as is evident from the fact that a majority of our partners, including the United Nations agencies in our midst, have not seen the threat as being sufficient to warrant any form of panic or order citizen evacuations.”
The President stressed that while being security conscious, alert, and careful is crucial, it is also important that responsible members of society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.
President Buhari commended the military and other security agencies for the recent turnaround in the nation’s security and directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place immediately.
President Buhari expressed optimism that given the ongoing efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.
Source: Greenberg Reporters
Security Operatives Arrest 35 Suspected ISWAP Fighters In Abuja, Amidst US Security Alerts
Five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and 30 fighters have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the police, and other security agencies.
A joint operation was launched by the security operatives who successfully dismantled a terror cell and arrested the 35 ISWAP terrorists.
Information reaching us said that the terror suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in different locations in Abuja, Mararaba, and other satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The suspects are being held at a DSS facility.
The arrests were made amid heightened tension in the nation’s capital as the popular Jabi Lake Mall shut its doors to shoppers and visitors on Thursday, citing the security situation.
To discourage criminal activities, the FCT Administration demolished shanties on Law School land, saying it was part of security measures.
It was learnt that the intelligence agencies had been on the trail of the insurgents before the US and the British High Commissions issued security alerts last Sunday, warning their citizens about impending terrorist attacks.
The US Embassy in Abuja had issued an alert for “an elevated risk of terror attacks” in the city, saying that possible targets include government buildings, places of worship, and other public places.
Security sources explained that the ISWAP members relocated to the FCT following the heavy bombardment of their enclaves and camps in the North-West by the Nigerian Air Force.
Giving more insight into the ongoing counter-intelligence operations, a security source revealed that the terror suspects were planning a big attack in Abuja before they were nabbed.
The source disclosed that the detained fighters are already providing useful information which had led to the arrest of some of their members masquerading as artisans, cart pushers, and security guards in the city.
A senior officer stated: “A massive counter-intelligence operation is going on to disrupt, neutralize and destroy the ISWAP terrorists in the FCT. Many commanders and their foot soldiers have been arrested and they are currently helping us in our investigations. About five commanders and 30 fighters have been apprehended but we expect to capture more suspects as we widen our dragnet.”
Meanwhile, Residents within the FCT have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence and persons to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.
The Inspector General of Police issued a statement allaying the fear of residents in the FCT and asked them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements as all hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly.”
Source: The PUNCH