Security around President Goodluck Jonathan has
heightened following the bomb explosion that rocked the United Nations
Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The explosion killed 18 people and
maimed several others.
Fearing that the president might be the next target of the bombers, security chiefs in the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, the army, the Directorate of Military Intelligence ordered that security be beefed up around Jonathan and the Presidential Villa, minutes after a suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with explosives into the UN office.
A reliable security source said, “The Boko Haram sect has shown that they can do and undo. The president has always had security around him but we have increased it. They won’t get him.”
Soon after the bomb exploded, armed soldiers were deployed in strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory and the entrance into the Aso Rock villa. Four black jeeps belonging to the SSS were stationed outside the villa.
SUNDAY PUNCH found out that while rescue operations were going on at the UN building, soldiers were positioned round important public buildings and institutions.
A combined team of armed soldiers and plain-clothes officers of the SSS were sighted taking positions when our correspondent visited the areas.
Heightened security measures were also noticed at the entrance to the National Assembly complex. Armed soldiers were seen complementing the members of the police anti-bomb squad.
Soldiers in full battle fatigue, assisted by riot policemen, were noticed around the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Abuja International Conference Centre also had armed soldiers in front of the building.
The headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which had been under the security watch of private guards, had riot policemen and soldiers complementing on Friday night.
Two major hotels in the FCT, the Transcorp Hilton and the Abuja Sheraton had soldiers strategically placed at their main gates.
The Federal Secretariat, which houses most of the government ministries, and the adjourning Eagle Square, were under the guard of armed soldiers positioned at the arcade of the Unknown Soldiers.
The Louis Edet House Police Headquarters was heavily guarded with two armoured personnel carriers in front of the multi-storey building.
Riot policemen stood guard at the FCT Police Command while the gates were shut.
Although no soldiers were seen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Television Authority headquarters in the FCT, private security guards were put on red alert.
At public places where there were no soldiers and policemen, private security guards searched cars before they were allowed in.
Also, military checkpoints surfaced on the busy airport road. Thousands of city residents got stuck in the ensuing jam like the one that followed the June 16 attack on the police headquarters.
Reacting to the explosion, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said, “This is a barbaric, senseless and cowardly attack; a most despicable assault on the United Nations’ objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of human life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes to.”
Friday’s attack was the second major attack in Abuja since June when an explosion rocked the Louis Edet House headquarters of the Nigeria Police.
The militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had claimed responsibility for the attack in which over 70 cars were burnt.
A lone suicide bomber had breached security at the police headquarters in an attack that was targeted at the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.
The Boko Haram said in a statement that it had targeted the IG because of his derogative remarks about the sect.
The sect, which seeks to establish Islamic rule in 12 states of Northern Nigeria, says Western education is evil and has vowed to enthrone Islamic law in the country.
The sect has carried out attacks in Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Niger and Katsina states.
Since the June attack, the FCT had been in a state of fear.
The FCT administration had placed a ban on night activities with a directive that night gardens and relaxation points should close by 10pm for security reasons.
It also directed private businesses to ensure security of their premises in view of the threats facing the city.
By Olamilekan Lartey and Adelani Adepegba Courtesy Of: Punch
Fearing that the president might be the next target of the bombers, security chiefs in the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, the army, the Directorate of Military Intelligence ordered that security be beefed up around Jonathan and the Presidential Villa, minutes after a suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with explosives into the UN office.
A reliable security source said, “The Boko Haram sect has shown that they can do and undo. The president has always had security around him but we have increased it. They won’t get him.”
Soon after the bomb exploded, armed soldiers were deployed in strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory and the entrance into the Aso Rock villa. Four black jeeps belonging to the SSS were stationed outside the villa.
SUNDAY PUNCH found out that while rescue operations were going on at the UN building, soldiers were positioned round important public buildings and institutions.
A combined team of armed soldiers and plain-clothes officers of the SSS were sighted taking positions when our correspondent visited the areas.
Heightened security measures were also noticed at the entrance to the National Assembly complex. Armed soldiers were seen complementing the members of the police anti-bomb squad.
Soldiers in full battle fatigue, assisted by riot policemen, were noticed around the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Abuja International Conference Centre also had armed soldiers in front of the building.
The headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which had been under the security watch of private guards, had riot policemen and soldiers complementing on Friday night.
Two major hotels in the FCT, the Transcorp Hilton and the Abuja Sheraton had soldiers strategically placed at their main gates.
The Federal Secretariat, which houses most of the government ministries, and the adjourning Eagle Square, were under the guard of armed soldiers positioned at the arcade of the Unknown Soldiers.
The Louis Edet House Police Headquarters was heavily guarded with two armoured personnel carriers in front of the multi-storey building.
Riot policemen stood guard at the FCT Police Command while the gates were shut.
Although no soldiers were seen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Television Authority headquarters in the FCT, private security guards were put on red alert.
At public places where there were no soldiers and policemen, private security guards searched cars before they were allowed in.
Also, military checkpoints surfaced on the busy airport road. Thousands of city residents got stuck in the ensuing jam like the one that followed the June 16 attack on the police headquarters.
Reacting to the explosion, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said, “This is a barbaric, senseless and cowardly attack; a most despicable assault on the United Nations’ objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of human life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes to.”
Friday’s attack was the second major attack in Abuja since June when an explosion rocked the Louis Edet House headquarters of the Nigeria Police.
The militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had claimed responsibility for the attack in which over 70 cars were burnt.
A lone suicide bomber had breached security at the police headquarters in an attack that was targeted at the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.
The Boko Haram said in a statement that it had targeted the IG because of his derogative remarks about the sect.
The sect, which seeks to establish Islamic rule in 12 states of Northern Nigeria, says Western education is evil and has vowed to enthrone Islamic law in the country.
The sect has carried out attacks in Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Niger and Katsina states.
Since the June attack, the FCT had been in a state of fear.
The FCT administration had placed a ban on night activities with a directive that night gardens and relaxation points should close by 10pm for security reasons.
It also directed private businesses to ensure security of their premises in view of the threats facing the city.
By Olamilekan Lartey and Adelani Adepegba Courtesy Of: Punch
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