President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the security alert raised by the government of the United States and United Kingdom about the possibility of terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
It would be recalled that the US, UK, and other foreign missions had issued travel advisories to their citizens in Nigeria, warning them to avoid non-essential trips to Abuja over possible terrorist attacks.
Reacting in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, President Buhari urged Nigerians not to panic but remain calm and vigilant as the nation’s security agencies battle to keep the prevailing insecurity in the country at bay.
Buhari, who stated that Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government, noted that the travel advisories do not mean that an attack is imminent in Abuja.
The president said Nigeria was no exception in having terror threats, stressing that the UK and US travel advisories also noted a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations.
He 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 would emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.
He said; “Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s 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.
“However, 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.
“Attacks are being foiled. Security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe – much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential.
“Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of 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 country.
“While noting, in addition that security threats are real and have been with us for a long while, 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 statement added.
Buhari said while being security conscious, being alert and careful was crucial, it was also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.
The President, who lauded the military and other security agencies for the recent turn around in the nation’s security, directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place and that these must not slacken now, and during the upcoming festive period.
President Buhari further expressed optimism that given the on-going 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.
He 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 and during the upcoming festive period.
KanyiDaily had also reported how the Department of State Security (DSS) in collaboration with the US Army arrested two suspected terrorists with explosives during a raid at the Trademore Estate in Abuja
