Terror alert: Police assure Nigerians of safety, roll out emergency response numbers
In updated travel advisory, US orders ALL employees’ family members to leave Abuja.
Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba
By Ebunoluwa Olafusi
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured Nigerians of their safety.
According to a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force spokesman, Usman Baba, the inspector-general of police (IGP), said the police will work with other security agencies to ensure the safety of all persons.
Baba also charged all strategic police managers in charge of commands and tactical formations to beef up security in their respective jurisdictions, especially in the FCT.
“The IGP directed that all emergency numbers across the country to be activated to full capacity for a 24/7 prompt response with combatant officers and men on standby to respond in case of emergency situations and distress calls,” the statement reads.
“Residents within the FCT are urged 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 IGP, therefore, allays the fear of residents in the FCT and admonishes 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.
“The IGP similarly reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police to eliminating all threats, as well as protection of lives and property of all residents of the country.”
The IGP statement comes on the heels of the security alert issued by the United States to its citizens in Nigeria.
The US had said the federal capital territory (FCT) stands a high risk of attack, and that terrorists may target government buildings, places of worship, schools, and markets.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS) has called for calm, adding that security agencies are taking measures to ensure safety.
In updated travel advisory, US orders ALL employees’ family members to leave Abuja
By Rita Okonoboh
The United States (US) has ordered family members of its employees resident in Abuja to leave the area.
The announcement was contained in a travel advisory issued on Thursday.
The latest advisory is an update to an alert published on Tuesday, which had asked only non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Abuja.
“On October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there,” the latest advisory reads.
“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.
“U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja.
“U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. U.S. citizens in Nigeria who require assistance should contact LagosACS@state.gov or +234 1 460 3410.”
The US also warned its citizens against travelling to Abuja “due to terrorism”, while Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and “northern Adamawa states” are off limits “due to terrorism and kidnapping”.
Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states were listed as no-go areas “due to kidnapping”, while coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) were also listed as areas to be avoided “due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.
The development comes amid warnings also from the UK and Canada asking their citizens in Nigeria to be cautious over the possibility of terror attacks in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has insisted that the country is safe.
Source: The Cable