Terror threat: DSS raises surveillance level
Federal government has said it would take measures against possible terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after foreign diplomatic missions in the country raised security alert for their citizens.
The Department of State Security (DSS) stated on Monday that adequate security measures are being deployed to guaranty safety of residents.
Spokes of the DSS, Mr Peter Afunaya, told media sources that necessary precautions are taken by all as in the past to ensure signals leading to the warnings are contained. He said the agency had successfully addressed similar warnings in the past.
“The service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja,” he said.
The police and military also said they had beefed up security in and around the city, which analysts interpret to mean greater number of checkpoints on the roads.
The responses came after the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia issued disturbing security alerts on Sunday, warning their nationals against being in public places, government buildings and worship centers.
Australia specifically asked its citizens planning to visit Nigeria to cancel such trips on security concerns. And despite appeals for calm from the authorities embassies of most countries have urged their citizens in Abuja to take extra caution in their movements, pointing at the terror alerts.
The security alerts did not provide any hint about the sources of threat. But many analysts are drawing links to incidents that had already occurred, including attacks on schools and prisons.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in response to the jailbreak at Kuje correctional center where all incarcerated Boko Haram members were freed unchallenged said he was disappointed at the nation’s intelligence services.
Abuja is increasingly caving to rising criminality and high levels of banditry run by gangs of heavily armed Fulani mercenaries who kidnap and kill. On October 12, a man was killed during a kidnap attempt by criminals in the wealthy neighbourhood of Maitama where many Western embassies are located.
Analysts have warned that insecurity could worsen with the start of political campaigning to replace Buhari next year.
“There’s an increased threat of an attack in Abuja. We continue to advise you should reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria,” the Australian foreign affairs travel advisory service said on Oct. 24. “Avoid all non-essential travel or movement,” the US embassy’s statement in Abuja said.
Commenting on the rising security threats in the country, lead strategist at Gatefield consultancy, Adewunmi Emoruwa, is reported by secondary sources as pointing at a real danger.
“On these issues, the credibility of the US intelligence community has been proven, and the decision to go public with such information represents a heightened risk, as portrayed in the statement,” Emoruwa was quoted as saying.
“Businesses will definitely bear the brunt,” Emoruwa says, noting that areas that have been historically attacked will see less foot traffic with more security checkpoints in store. “We expect the Nigerian government to mitigate these risks and avert the planned attacks.”
