Heightened security alert in Abuja over terror threat

Following a heightened security alert in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has reclaimed parts of the Nigeria Law School’s land taken over by criminals in Bwari town.

The development came as one of the biggest malls in the territory, the Jabi Lake Mall shut down operations in what its management said is to protect staff and customers in the wake of a recent security advisory issued by some embassies.

Also, most primary schools in the territory have announced a mid-term break.

Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, Mr Attah Ikharo who supervised the reclamation of the law school land, said pulling down the shanties was also to tighten security and restore sanity on the route.

He said the exercise is one of the measures adopted by the Administration to curb insecurity across the territory and would not be limited to the area alone.

The Minister’s aide explained that strategic stakeholders in the nation’s capital have asked the sanitation team not to leave any structure that is constituting threats to the security of lives and property on the Bwari road stretch.

He stated that key security heads in the territory had insisted that Bwari area must be made safe and free from all evil acts.

According to him, the demolition exercise would be a comprehensive one, started from Bwari Law school, near Kuchiku-Bwari down to Bwari main market.

“Pulling down the illegal structures here in Bwari is part of our measures to curb insecurity across the territory.

“This area along the law school stretch down to Bwari market, all the attachments and shanties on the road corridor must go. Some persons in Bwari may see it as a lawless place because for long there is no major clean up.

“It is not only the Law school area but it is going to be a comprehensive clean up”, he stated.

On his part, the secretary FCTA Command and Control Centre, Peter Olumuji said the operation is a means of sustaining the security measures already put in place by the Police and the FCT Administration.

He explained that prior to the removal of the shanties, the areas were used as criminals’ hideout.

Meanwhile, management of the Jabi Lake Mall has temporarily suspended its operations.

A short message from the commercial enterprise reads; “Jabi Lake Mall will be closed today, Thursday, 27 October 2022. This decision has been taken in the overall interest of the safety of all staff and customers of the mall.

“Centre Management is committed to minimising any disruptions; however, the safety of our staff and shoppers remains our highest priority.

“Management is constantly reviewing the security situation in consultation with relevant security authorities and will inform you when the mall will be re-opened.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to provide you with a quality shopping experience soon”.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the Federal Government won’t be stampeded by the terror advisories released by the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.

According to him, Nigeria will not be stampeded by whatever any government decides to tell its people living in Abuja and parts of the country.

He made this known on Wednesday during a briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mohammed declared that the US acted within her rights to advise her citizens to go home but Nigeria won’t be stampeded by such warning or action.

He underscored that the government has in the last few months taken a firm handle of security, urging citizens to avoid liking or sharing materials that could incite panic.

The US and Britain had on Sunday warned of possible terror attacks in Abuja, especially at government buildings, places of worship, schools and other centres where large crowds gather.

The US further urged its citizens and Embassy staff in Nigeria’s political capital to leave but the Department of States Services urged residents of Abuja and Nigerians in general to remain calm, saying security agencies are right on top of the situation.