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Tag: Terror alert

  • Terror threat: Alerts by UK, US, others blown out of proportion – IGP

    Terror threat: Alerts by UK, US, others blown out of proportion – IGP

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has said the terror alerts issued by the various embassies of the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA) and others, were blown out of proportion.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports IGP Baba said this when he addressed State House correspondents during the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team on Thursday in Abuja.

    He dismissed the assertion that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies did not take the alarm raised by the embassies seriously.

    The IGP stressed that the security agencies have successfully restored confidence and hope among residents of Abuja and its environs following the earlier notice of terror threats issued by the embassies in the country.

    “Government has never dismissed it as an alarm but we only said it was blown out of proportion or made in such a way that our people became apprehensive to the situation or to the way it was done.

    ”The embassies have their own responsibilities to their citizens and they can make their advice and the government has not dismissed what has happened because they have also informed us of what they foresee as threats.

    “And we on our parts have also looked at what they put as threat as something that has been with us and efforts are being made daily to see they those threats are mitigated or prevented from happening and that is what has been happening in Abuja and all over the country.

    “Sometimes, these threats or things happen but nobody has dismissed it as mere alarm and a lot of efforts have been made, like you said to douse tension,” Baba said.

    The I-G further disclosed that some arrests had been made in connection to the security threats in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs, saying the suspects would soon be arraigned before the courts to face justice.

    “Yes, actually arrests have been made for those, we believe are planning to commit crime in whatever form and we have done that arrest and as at when due. Those arrested will be charged to court by any of the services that have them,” the IGP said.

    On the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Baba appealed to politicians and other stakeholders to co-operate with the police in ensuring smooth conduct of the exercise.

    He, therefore, reminded all political parties and actors to always abide by the laid down rule and regulations guiding the conduct of rallies and campaigns.

    ”There are laid down means, ways and procedures to do rallies and campaigns.

    ”On our part, we have gone out to appeal to politicians to play the game by the rules. And at the same time allow us to regulate political processions, campaigns and rallies, to avoid clashes and so forth,” he said.

  • Terror Alert: UK warns citizens against travelling to 22 Nigerian states

    Terror Alert: UK warns citizens against travelling to 22 Nigerian states

    The United Kingdom has issued a warning to its citizens  to avoid traveling to 22 states in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the European country cleared Abuja from the list but still asked its citizens to apply caution as this may still be connected to the country’s security situation.

    This was contained in a press release by the British High Commission, Abuja, on Monday titled, “Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Traveling to the FCT.”

    The British High commission noted that the travel advisory is to help its nationals to make better-informed decisions about international and business travel plan without any danger.

    According to the statement many of the states are in the northern parts, while some are in the South.

    The statement read, “FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. There continues to be a number of states in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel.  These include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

    “We also advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.

    “The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review and in making these assessments, and uses information from a wide range of sources.  The travel advice is constantly reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria.  Although, the FCDO Travel Advice no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, it makes clear that some risks remain.”

  • That Security Alert by America- By Hope O’Rukevbe Eghagha

    That Security Alert by America- By Hope O’Rukevbe Eghagha

    The political landscape of Nigeria was shaken to its foundations last week of October when news about an evacuation order from home governments of citizens of America, Australia and Britain hit the airwaves. Social media raised the level of fear, anxiety and frenzy. In a statement, the US Mission in Nigeria stated that “the (State) Department ordered the departure of family members of US government employees from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks, following on the October 25 authorization of departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attack”. There were pictures of stationary vans parked at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja which reportedly conveyed the departing diplomats to the border. More conspiracy theories, some shamelessly spurious and inflammatory, made the rounds on WhatsApp groups.

    The situation appeared precarious, scary and even apocalyptic. Was another Afghanistan in the offing? If terrorists overran Abuja, what would become of Nigeria? How would the states in the south take a terrorist takeover of the seat of government? Break up into warlords-held territories like Libya? What did the Americans know that our intelligence agencies had missed or which the NIA and DSS had communicated to the Presidency but was ignored? Why did the Western nations dramatize the security situation? Was the US government overreacting because in Afghanistan ‘the collapse of the Afghan government occurred sooner than intelligence projections had estimated, and evacuation efforts became significantly more urgent? No one really stopped to think that it is inconceivable for a group of extremist to overthrow the federal government and expect the rest of the nation to smile and look on! It will be the outbreak of war or anarchy, or both!

    The Nigerian government spoke through Minister of Information Lai Mohammed: “I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country that security agencies are on top of this matter”, and that “there’s no cause for alarm”. He also blamed the Nigerian media for reporting the American advisory in a sensational manner ‘just for clickbait and the attendant monetary gain”. But on Tuesday the 25th October men of the DSS backed by security men from the US Army raided Trademore Estate Lugbe and reportedly arrested some terrorists. Explosives and other dangerous items were found. It confirmed the authenticity of the security alert. Security was beefed up in and around Abuja. The streets of Abuja and places that used to hold huge crowds were deserted. On Monday the 31st, Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina announced to the consternation of Nigerians that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria was travelling to United Kingdom for a ‘routine medical checkup!

    There had been this threat by terrorists to life and property in Nigeria. By kidnapping and collecting ransoms, it was believed that they had amassed enough wealth challenge the Nigerian State. Whereas Boko Haram had been limited to the northern fringes of the country, the entry of ISWAP into the terrorist ring in Nigeria seems to have introduced a new and more serious, dangerous dynamic. ISWAP is reputed for not taking prisoners. After the June 5th 2022 attack on a Catholic Church in Owo and the August arrest of ISWAP operatives from a Kogi State cell, the threat became more palpable. Before then Minister of the Interior Rauf Aregbesola had blamed the attack on ‘these animals, ISWAP”. Besides, bushes and forests across the country are occupied by armed Fulani men who from all accounts are not Nigerian Fulani. The narrative had always been there that they could launch a savage attack on Nigerians in order to create an Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria. True or false, there is extant literature on this subject. The Muslim-Muslim ticket of APC and PDP jettisoning its power rotation policy has inadvertently promoted the narrative of religious domination. Besides, one of the indices of a failed state – loss of control of some of its territory, or of the monopoly on the use of physical force – stares us in the face.

    It is against this broad background of uncertainty, religious and ethnic tensions, herdsmen attacks, and state inefficiency that the American evacuations order to its citizens gained serious public attention and some credibility. Some netizens condemned America for issuing the advisory to its citizens because it created undue panic and that the FBI and sister agencies in America had never been able to predict of any of the mass shootings in God’s Own Country! Others countered that it was well within the right of America to warn its citizens in Nigeria if it perceived a threat to their lives. I look forward to the day the Nigerian Embassy in New York will issue an advisory to Nigerians in cities across America to avoid shopping malls on specific days of the week!

    If the Nigerian government was angry with the western powers – America, Australia and Britain – for issuing the ‘embarrassing’ security advisory, the immediate announcement and the President’s visit to London to receive medical attention indicated otherwise. For it was either the president did not consider the advisory an affront to national dignity because it was predicated on truth or the burdens of his health concern are bigger than any claim to national dignity. But his continuous treatment in a foreign hospital is a threat to national security. One Ahmad Salkida posted on social media: ‘The UK issued a travel advisory on your capital city and canceled flights leaving many of your citizens stranded. Your government called the advisory reckless. You did not summon or demand a retraction from US/UK ambassadors. Instead, you went on a medical trip to the UK days later”. If ordinary citizens can reason like this, what has happened to the nation’s rulers and their advisers? Does commonsense take leave of occupants of the federal seat of power? Is this why Reuben Abati one assured us that voodoo, magic and necromancy are well entrenched in the sociocultural world of Aso Rock?

    National security is, should be everyone’s concern. But the managers of security have a fundamental role to play in protection of life and property. This is because the instruments of offence and defence are in their hands. If the government thinks that the security of the people is important, it has not demonstrated that concern in either utterances or actions. We know of families that have started standing on one foot in the country by securing visas with which they can evacuate at the drop of a hat. Parents are being invited by their diaspora children to relocate and spend their last years in peace and safety. The body language of Abuja does not suggest that the situation is grave; which is a contradiction of the daily experiences of Nigerians in the north and in the south, Christian or Muslim!

    The security alert from the western nations was a nightmare. But it fed from and reinforced existing fears and uncertainties about the future of Nigeria, especially with how the federal government has handled the terrorists. No sane government releases over one hundred terrorists or tolerates a jail break that unleashes those sons of the devil into our geographical space. As long as we have this geographical space to call home, no efforts should be spared to guarantee safety of life and property. If by design or default Nigeria falls into the hands of extremists, be sure that none of the state actors who subtly encourage terrorism can pass the test of fundamental Islam. More importantly, an unstable Nigeria like current Libya would be disastrous to the whole of Africa and Europe! The American prediction that Nigeria will ultimately fail resides in the open minds and subconscious of most citizens. It is traumatic. Perhaps it accounts for the massive looting of state funds, the thinking that actors must grab a piece of the national cake before the state crumbles! How can we end this era of debilitating uncertainty?

  • CAN holds National Prayer Friday

    CAN holds National Prayer Friday

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed its states and local chapters, to hold national prayers for divine intervention in the affairs of Nigeria on Friday.

    This is contained in a statement signed by John Praise Daniel, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, National Prayer Day, of the CAN on Wednesday.

    CAN said that the prayers were also to implore God’s help in preventing violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes in the forthcoming elections.

    “We consider this imperative in view of the fact that our nation is passing through very challenging times at the moment despite its abundant natural, human, and material resources.

    “Nigeria is a vibrant and virile land that is full of colour, wealth and all that it would take to be one of the greatest nations on earth.

    “Sadly, the country has not yet reached where it should be at the moment due to some inherent problems,” the Christian body noted.

    It said Christian politicians, especially those vying for offices, all bloc, zonal, states and local chairmen, and all Church leaders, should mobilise their members nationwide for the programme.

    “We urge all and sundry to join the solemn assembly, in order to usher the country into a new era of peace, unity, safety and all-round prosperity.

    “May God use the programme to address the spiritual dimensions of the challenges plaguing the nation and frustrate every evil plan against the unity of the people,” CAN added.

    It said that the prayers in Abuja would hold at the National Christian Centre on Friday by 10:00 a.m.

  • Now that Abuja and not Obi, Atiku, Tinubu, has become our number one problem – By Mideno Bayagbon

    Now that Abuja and not Obi, Atiku, Tinubu, has become our number one problem – By Mideno Bayagbon

    Nothing has de-marketed the nation, Nigeria, in the last seven years, as much as the unsolved spates of terrorist acts and the wide gamut of insecurity, fuelled by an incompetent, unfeeling government. And we have become more and more the butt of international jokes and disdain as we wobble and fumble on even the simplest of issues. In the eyes of the world, we are now being sold as a looming failed state, there for the taking; a country on the brink of falling to the terrorists who have been causing havoc in the North East for about 15 years now.

    Or how else do we interpret the recent action of the USA and some European countries who have not only publicly warned of imminent attacks on Abuja but have indeed evacuated their personnel and asked their citizens to leave the country? Ordinarily, one should wonder: how dare the United  States of America, USA, and the growing number of European countries to rubbish Nigeria’s image,  by issuing the security alert on Abuja and 14 other states in Nigeria? Is this what we have come to, the damage we have done to ourselves through the  collective mistake of electing Muhammadu Buhari as President? Is what is happening to us now, especially the disgraceful security alert, not “see-finish?”

    It is clear these foreign countries have put Nigerian leadership on a scale, found them wanting and powerless. With impunity, they have now decided to kick her frontally in the face. They know how inconsequential the  Buhari government has made the nation seem in the eyes of  the comity of nations. They have, through the public security alert and warning minimised Nigeria in the eyes of the international community, Nigerians in the diaspora and indeed Nigerians  who live in the country. They have reduced Nigeria to the level of the deeply troubled Afghanistan and other failed states where all foreign nationals scurry out of the country to preserve their lives, as the country fell to the Islamic rebel groups. In their eyes, Nigeria is walking,with eyes wide open, into being a failed state.

    Before now, America restricted itself to issuing travel advisories on Nigeria, insulting as that was. But they have upped the antennal, told the whole world rebels are about to overrun the Nigerian capital, Abuja. To point out the gravity of the security situation, they have effected the evacuation of all their non-essential personnel at their embassies in Abuja. Their message is simple: go to, or stay in, Abuja at your own risk! The government is genuinely infuriated while the people, justifiably, have turned a blind eye to the warning. To them all die na die!

    I have listened to a few international relations experts and have lived long enough to know that something, somewhere, is not right with the way the Americans, especially, have gone about the recent security scare in Abuja. I am one to admit that there must indeed be fire behind the smoke of the scaremongering. I must admit the Americans, even if in pretence, must have sought audience with the Nigerian government and possibly have a good sense of its security architecture, its attitude and political will. But is it right the way it has gone about the worsening security situation in the country? Is the situation so doomed that it is irreparable? Is there no ameliorating factor, no leeway to confronting and containing the risk posed by the current security situation orchestrated by foreign terrorists and bandits alike?. Or is it that the western nations have done all they could to assist the Nigerian government and it failed to cooperate or show any sign of grappling with the situation? Why are the Americans and the European countries so upfront, so seemingly impatient with the handling of the seemingly imperilled security situation? What do they know that we don’t?

    Nigerians know better than to turn to the President for succour. They know that if he didn’t keep his uncanny silence, his handlers would issue out tepid statements that end up infuriating the people more. But President Buhari will be President Buhari. His next action has been to chose this critical time, of all times, to go junketing on another medical tourism to Europe. And it is either of two things. It is either the President is using the medical trip as a calming balm to tell the rest of us that there is nothing to worry about, that we can go about our lives quietly secured. If one were to be mischievous, one would say the President embarking on the medical check up at this time was a design to damn the rest of the world and indeed all Nigerians.  Alternatively, the health situation of the President could  be in a state he considers more alarming than the insecurity enveloping the nation’s capital. True, people are wondering if this is not another situation of Rome being on fire while the emperor fiddles with trifles?

    Let’s look at this more closely. Truth be told, we have some of the brightest, bravest and very patriotic military  and security men and women, any nation of the world would gladly boast of. And it has  been proven over and over again, especially when they go on international assignments, that our Police Force, our Military and security personnel are some of the finest in the world. What is missing appears to be the political will and right funding to put them on the fighting pedestal  to put an end to the spate of terrorism and bandit activities. Yet the Buhari government does not appear hell-bent on crushing the terrorists and putting an end to their nefarious activities. Yet we know that the virulent wing of Islamic State of West Africa, ISWAP, a franchise of the deadly but defeated ISIS, peopled by foreign terrorist mercenaries and cross-border criminals, are those trying to hold Nigeria and Nigerians hostage with the very active connivance of yet to be identified government operatives.

    Nigerians have been bombarded with assurances from relevant sources about their security, going forward. Whether they believe any of it or not; whether they think the Americans and the Europeans should be believed or not, one thing is clear: there are more urgent issues attacking the life of the average Nigerian. The Abuja security scare is just one of many. For most, the attitude is just to find enough strength and resources to survive another day given the avalanche of problems which is their lived reality. There is food crisis, energy crisis, all kinds of problems which buffet them daily. The World Bank recently captured it well when it said: “Nigeria’s food, energy crisis worsened by Naira depreciation.” That is a diplomatic way of saying the massive devaluation of the Naira, which is currently on a free fall, has further compounded the miserable lives of Nigerians who are barely surviving the imbecilities and criminal incompetence of the government.

    Yes, Nigerians barely sleep now, even with one eye shut. Not with the hunger ravaging the land. The multi-dimensional insecurities strangulating their lives and the many other existence crises that crush them.  Like living dead, the only escape route now appears to be what in true Nigerian coinage is JAPA. That is finding all means to escape out of Nigeria to any other country. Houses, land, cars, and other properties and investments are being auctioned off in Nigerians desperation to escape the tragic Buhari government. Over 10000 doctors have fled. Ten of thousands more of our highly trained human resources have Japa-ed. More are on the way out. The latest security alert on Abuja can only fuel the deal to get out before the whole house comes collapsing. God forbid.

  • Terror threat: FCT management assures residents of safety

    Terror threat: FCT management assures residents of safety

    The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee has reassured the residents of the territory of their safety, insisting that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to sustain law and order in the area.

    In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the Director, Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Sule, said the executive committee gave the assurance during its 12th Meeting in Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

    He said that meeting was presided by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, who represented the FCT Minister , Malam Muhammad Bello.

    It was also attended by the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno and Secretaries of Mandate Secretariats, among others.

    Sule said every necessary arrangement has been made by the government in conjunction with security agencies to safeguard lives and property of all residents.

    The statement said that the advisories issued by some diplomatic missions to their nationals living in Nigeria had generated tensions, fear, and panic among Abuja residents.

    It said security agencies were combing the nooks and crannies of the FCT to fish out criminals and other people wishing to truncate the peace and tranquility of the territory.

    “Even before the issuance of the advisories (by the diplomatic missions) Nigerian security agencies have maintained and intensified surveillance within the FCT to ward off any security breach,“ the statement said.

    Sule explained that the purchase and distribution of 60 operational vehicles, fitted with the state-of-the-art equipment to security agencies by the FCT administration, was strategically done to assist and enhance their performance.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had earlier convened an emergency security meeting where issues concerning the security alerts issued by some diplomatic missions in Abuja to their citizens were discussed and measures taken to prevent the breach of the peace.

    “The meeting, however, urged residents to cooperate at all times with the security agencies by volunteering useful and timely information that will assist in nipping any form of criminality in the bud,“ the statement said.

    The statement said the FCT Security Committee implored residents to install Close-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) to complement the ongoing efforts by the government at tackling the prevailing security challenges in the country in line with National Security Council advice.

    “The installation will no doubt enhance surveillance and deter criminal activities around the FCT,” the statement said.

    It said noted that the first phase of the joint security operation by G-7, being states that are contiguous to the FCT, recorded a remarkable success, especially with the arrest of bandits and the rescue of kidnapped victims.

  • Terror Alert: Fear in FCT as malls are shut down, worship centers beef up security

    Terror Alert: Fear in FCT as malls are shut down, worship centers beef up security

    The residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are still living in fear following the security threat, issued by some western countries in the past few days.

    Ireland, Canada, Australia, and other countries have also issued travel advisories to their citizens to depart Nigeria in the face of tension in Abuja.

    The tension in Abuja and its environs began on Sunday when the United States and the United Kingdom warned of a possible terrorist attack in the nation’s capital, saying the terrorists are aiming at government facilities, places of worship, and schools, among others.

    Several government and private establishments have been shutting down operations over the fear of attack by the daredevil terrorist that have, over the years, kept the country hostage.

    Reports say many have travelled out of Abuja to put up in other states for fear of the attack.

    Meanwhile, president Buhari has assured the people of the country to remain calm and resolute, saying Security has been beefed up in all nooks and cranies of the FCT.

    It was gathered that a popular shopping mall in the territory, Jabi Lake Mall, on Friday shut down operations in response to the rising security threat.

    Several residents who were sceptical at the beginning of the week when the advisory was issued began to take the security advisory seriously when further directives came from the United States Embassy that their citizens, alongside their family members, should leave Abuja as quickly as possible for their safety.

    Reports also say that worship centers, churches and mosques have also tightened security in and around Abuja to ensure safety of worshippers in the FCT.

    CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, asked churches and, by extension, all Nigerians to be vigilant and alert security agencies of any suspicious movements in their vicinities while the church would continue to pray for them.

    “We must do whatever it takes to stop those plotting to eliminate innocent citizens anywhere in the country by brutal means, from achieving their ignoble objectives. They must not be allowed to continue their wickedness,” he charged.

     

  • Terror Alert: Buhari urges Nigerians to be calm and Vigilant

    Terror Alert: Buhari urges Nigerians to be calm and Vigilant

    Nigeria’s president  Muhammadu Buhari has urged citizens  to be calm following the United States and United Kingdom terror alert.

    The president also advised the people to be very vigilant and observant, saying everything is under control.

    This was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Friday.

    According Shehu, president Buhari  has maintained that Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government noted that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.

    The President 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 will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.

    Buhari 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 all over the world.

    “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 the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.”

    The President stressed that while being security conscious, alert and careful, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.

    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.

  • Terror Alert: DSS speaks on operating joint Force with American troops

    Terror Alert: DSS speaks on operating joint Force with American troops

    The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has denied having a joint operation with American soldiers following the terror alert signals sent  by the American government few days ago.

    The spokesperson for the DSS in the country, Peter Afunanya mentioned this to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, the DSS hasn’t embarked on any physical combat in a joint mission with foreign counterparts.

    He said “We did not carry out any joint operation with American Soldiers as widely reported in the media.

    “Though we carried out an operation in an Abuja Estate with sister agencies, no foreign troops were involved,” he clarified.

    The raid at Trademore Estate led to the arrest of suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) members.

    On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy announced that the Department of State had authorized the evacuation of its staff in Abuja and their families.

    America also advised its citizens in Nigeria not to travel to the nation’s capital for now, while those already in the territory should leave or keep a low profile.

    “U.S. citizens should consider departing Abuja using available commercial options”, the advisory has warned.

  • Terror alert: DSS enjoins Nigerians to take necessary precautions

    Terror alert: DSS enjoins Nigerians to take necessary precautions

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on Nigerians to take necessary precautions and be security conscious in view of the security advisory released by the US Embassy on possible terror attack on Abuja.

    Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the DSS had issued similar advisory in the past and urged residents to remain alert and calm.

    “While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them,” he added.

    Afunanya said the service was working with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.

    The US Embassy security advisory alert issued on Sunday said targets for the attack may include government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets and shopping malls.

    It said others are hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities and international organisations.