Yuletide: FCT is safe, says Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has again assured diplomatic corps in Nigeria and the entire residents of the country that the Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, will be safe during and after the festive period.

General Burutai, stated this while on a working visit to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello.

According to General Buratai, the security alert by the embassy of the United States of America recently has raised an alarm over suspected terror attack targeted at the FCT during the Christmas and New Year celebration.

He said that the security agencies in Nigeria has all it takes to contain any terror attack in the FCT and across the country, stressing that the pronouncement by the US Embassy, was mere advisory, which was not out of place as such would enhance security biff-ups across the country.

“We are ready to battle any insecurity challenges across the country and I also can tell you that the Federal Capital Territory is also safe. I enjoin every resident of the FCT to go his/or normal businesses without fear.

Daily Times, however, can recall that the Federal Capital Territory Administration earlier reassured residents as well as international communities of adequate security before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebration.

The FCT Security Committee headed by the Commissioner of Police Mallam Sadiq Bello ended its emergency security review, with an appeal to residents to take seriously the issues of security in their neighbourhoods, work and worship places.

The security emergency was convened, by the FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello against the backdrop of travel alerts issued by some foreign diplomatic institutions to their citizens about Abuja.

The Minister, subsequently assured residents that the police and other security agencies have been placed on heightened alert to combat crime and ensure effective surveillance in the Territory.

Outfits have stepped up patrol of reported flashpoints of crime as well as enhanced surveillance on supermarkets, malls and gardens among others.

The Minister also reiterated that the ban on the use of fireworks in the Territory is still in force and cautioned against the use of fireworks this season.

The Committee called on churches and mosques to galvanize their faithful for increased security alert. Residents have also been requested to be conscious of their environment and to report suspicious movements within their neighbourhoods to law enforcement agents.

The Committee, the Minister said, expressed concern over reports of increases in the use of drugs around the Territory. He called on community and religious leaders as well as the public to be very watchful over the traffic and use of illicit drugs around them and to report such to the security agencies.

The Nigerian Army at the occasion released a quick response number of 193 to the public as well as the Road Safety Corps which released the number 122 for traffic control calls.

The Nigerian Army disclosed that the number 193 could be used to alert the Army call centre and give locations on crime, insurgency, fire, drug or even of any soldier molesting a civilian. The number, the Army representatives noted is available on all the networks.

The Committee, it was revealed has also commenced security audit of the hotels, especially those patronized in the FCT to ascertain their security preparedness.

This is with a view to assist them on security preparedness and awareness to assure tourists and investors that our hotels are safe.

The Commissioner of police Malam Sadiq Bello also reinforced the assurances given by the FCT Minister by adding that the Police was working with other security agencies to ensure visibility policing, intelligence gathering and sharing as well as joint patrols.

By Idu Jude Abuja