Terror alert: Political, economic activities suffer in Abuja, as US plans evacuation of citizens
…Terrorists want to embarrass us, but Nigeria is safe — FG
…FCTA orders security agencies in Abuja to sustain law & order
…Orders reopening of closed schools
By Moses Adeniyi
Against assurance that the Country’s capital is safe, fear rousing from alert of terror attack issued by the United States and it’s counterpart, the United Kingdom has begun to record high disruption in education, political and economic activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The United States Government, following a terror alert issued on Sunday, has issued directives for the evacuation of its government employees and their families from Nigeria over potential terrorist attacks.
The US State Department announced the approval of the evacuation in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
“On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria,” the advisory read.
Recall that the US and the UK Governments on Sunday and Monday, respectively, warned their citizens of possible terror attacks in Nigeria, particularly in the capital, Abuja.
A red alert released by the U.S Embassy in Abuja on Sunday had specifically warned of such threats in the nation’s seat of power, FCT, Abuja.
The statement had read: “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.”
It advised Americans in Nigeria to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert, avoid crowds, and follow local news and the advice of security authorities.
The warning came barely four days after the Australian Government warned its citizens not to travel to Nigeria over flooding and insecurity that have ravaged some parts of the country.
The consulate had said potential for terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest remained high throughout Nigeria.
In its updated travel advisory, the US warned its citizens to avoid traveling to 14 states in Nigeria, none in North-Central, South-West and South-East, due to insecurity.
States mentioned to be avoided include: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe in North-East; Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara in Northwest; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states in South-South.
In the same vein, the United Kingdom had warned of an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja, saying that terrorists were likely to carry out attacks in Nigeria, adding that the attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists.
….Terrorists want to embarrass us but Nigeria is safe — FG
Meanwhile, dousing fear, the Federal Government in reaction to the terror alert discredited the security caveat, stressing that situation was under firm control and not only Nigerians, but foreign nationals are safe.
Federal Government’s Spokesman, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces were on top of security challenges in the country.
“Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.
“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability. But our security forces have been proactive,” Mohammed said.
This is just as the Federal Government on Wednesday said that it cannot be stampeded by whatever a foreign government tells its citizens.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents on the panic at the Presidential Villa, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said though terrorists attempt to embarrass the government, security agencies have in the last few months taken firm control of the situation.
The Minsiter stating that citizens and foreign nationals are safe in Nigeria said, “Now, of course, this so called travel advisory as far as we’re concerned, as a government we have in the last few months, taken a firm handle of security.
“What I said is that click baiting, which is, you find a story which is not verified and you immediately share it, always cause panic.
“But I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter.
“Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate government, but what I’m saying is that this country is safe. And there’s no cause for alarm. No cause to panic.
“Unfortunately, because of that travel advisory on Sunday many schools were closed, shops were closed, travel plans were disrupted; we don’t need it. The security – our soldiers, our police are working round the clock to contain any terrorist attack. This is where we stand.”
Questioned on the fact that the travel advisory specifically mentioned vulnerable states that Americans should desist from traveling to, the Minister argued that it is not strange as even Nigeria Mission in the US can advise Nigerians on their movement in the country.
“I read it that it said that non emergency should live Nigeria. You see, just like If Nigeria Mission in the US also sends a travel advisory and warning in Houston and say, look, don’t go, don’t take your children to school, because there could be mass shooting tomorrow. I mean, it is within their rights to say that their people should go home if they want to.
“But we as a country, have a responsibility to keep our country safe, and we’re not going to be, you know, stampeded at all, by whatever any government decides to tell its people,” he said.
On the perception threat the advisory could create to deter investors, the Minister advised citizens to desist from spreading unverified news.
“The concrete step is that people should stop spreading unverified news; that is what we are saying. You see, look at how many school shootings happen in the US? How many senseless killings happened in the US?
“So have they been able to predict what’s going to happen next; which school is going to be a victim next? Do Nigerians in the US also feel safe?
“I think you should stop demarketing your home country. Every country has its security challenges. We have ours and we are facing them. Which side are you, American side?”, he queried.
….FCTA orders security agencies in Abuja to sustain law & order
Moreover, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered security agencies in Abuja to sustain the state of law and order, assuring residents of its commitment to their safety.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, who gave the order at an emergency security meeting convened with relevant agencies in Abuja, also ordered reopening of some schools which were hurriedly closed by some proprietors following the terror alert.
Director, Information and Communication in the FCT Administration, Muhammed Hazat Sule in a statement said issues concerning the security alert were exhaustively discussed and measures taken to sustain the current state of security and prevent any breach.
…Political activities suffer over panic
Meanwhile, the panic trailing the development has brought disruption to political activities, affecting political rallies and campaigns of some parties.
Against the backdrop, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has postponed his campaign meeting in Abuja to next month.
The ADC presidential standard bearer who said he does not want to take chances on the issue said in a statement, on Wednesday: “In the light of the recent security advisory in place, I deem it wise to postpone my Abuja Town Hall meeting to November 6, 2022. I regret all inconveniences caused.”
….US raises terror alert in South Africa
Meanwhile, similarly, the United States Government has alerted South Africa that terrorists might be planning an attack aimed at large gatherings.
Consequently, it also warned American citizens to avoid large crowds and gatherings, especially around Sandton in Johannesburg between the 29th and 30th of October 2022.
The US made this known on its embassy website on Wednesday, stressing that it got information about possible attacks by terrorists in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Saturday.
“The US Government has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 October 2022.
“There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.
“The US embassy has advised staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg during the weekend of October 29-30 2022,” the alert read.
