The growing apprehension in the Federal Capital Territory over the terror alerts issued by the United States and the United Kingdom persisted on Friday, even as the Federal Government heightened security in the capital city.
Abuja is witnessing massive deployment of Special Forces, the elite Presidential Guards Brigade and Department of State Security (DSS) operatives in key and vulnerable points in the metropolis to prevent possible terrorist attacks.
These security agents including other armed Armed security personnel, Policemen and women were seen patrolling the city centre, the Kubwa Expressway, Jabi and other strategic points.
They were also seen around the NNPC Towers, National Defence College, both in the Central Business District, and around the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters.
The US and UK had stated that there was an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
The US advisory said the militants might target government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, facilities belonging to law enforcement agencies and international organisations.
It, therefore, directed non-essential embassy staff and their family members to leave the Federal Capital Territory.
Though the Federal Government gave assurances that the security forces were on top of the situation, the US Embassy in an updated alert warned its staff, their family members and American nationals to leave Abuja or avoid public places.
Denmark, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland and Canadian authorities also issued separate security alerts, asking their citizens in the country to stay alert, refrain from visiting public events, avoid clusters of people and exercise caution in and around Abuja.
The Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs further advised its nationals against travelling to Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states.
Based on this development, security agencies including the Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, the military and police launched a joint security operation to smoke out criminals said to have embedded themselves in Abuja preparatory to launching a massive terror attack.
On Monday, two suspects were arrested at the Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, while suspected Islamic State West Africa Province commanders and their foot soldiers were also apprehended between Tuesday and Thursday.
Saturday PUNCH gathered on Friday that the authorities have also dispatched intelligence officers to the satellite towns, including Bwari, Kubwa, Suleja, Lugbe and other places where terror suspects were believed to be hibernating.
Reliable security sources confirmed that scores of suspects had been arrested for profiling in what has been described as a major counterintelligence operation.
One of the sources stated, “The ongoing operation has successfully netted many suspects who will be profiled. Beyond this, the Special Forces and Guards Brigade have been activated to strengthen the security cordon around the FCT. I’m sure you have seen their show of force patrol around the city and on the highways. Nothing is being spared to keep the capital city safe and secure.”
Our correspondents who monitored the situation in the FCT observed the combat-ready troops of the Guards Brigade and men of the Special Forces in Gwarimpa. Plain-clothes operatives were also seen in unmarked Hilux vans patrolling the city.
Originally published in The PUNCH