Terror alert: Experts urge FG to tighten security around soft targets

*We’ll review U.S. security advisory, say police
Operators in the nation’s intelligence community have urged the Federal Government to tighten security around critical infrastructure, schools and public places following the security alert raised by United States embassy in Abuja.

The U.S. had raised the alarm of an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.

In a security alert issued to its nationals on Sunday, the U.S. said targets may include government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities and international organisations.

“The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice,” it had said.

Directorate of State Services (DSS) former boss, Dennis Amachree, told The Guardian, yesterday, that the alert from the U.S. is a follow-up on the same alert from the DSS some weeks ago.

“It is good that the Nigerian intelligence community is working to avert or nip this threat in the bud. The reason for alerts are two-fold: first to keep nationals aware, as a duty of care from their government; second, to generate more information from the public to say something if they see something. So, all hands should be on deck to counter this threat.”

Criminologist, Albert Uba, urged government not to ignore the alert.

He said: “The terror alert raised by the U.S. Embassy at this time that hundreds of thousands of terrorists and/or bandits are surrendering underpins the kid gloves with which the Federal Government is tackling the issue of general insecurity. The alert should not be ignored because of the position of the U.S. in global terrorism index, though the DSS had raised similar alert in recent past.

“This is the time for the DSS and sister agencies to double their efforts in their constitutional responsibility to protect life and property. It is not enough to condemn an attack after it had happened.”

The President, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Dr. Wilson Esangbedo, said: “Government needs to do a risk assessment and strengthen security around soft targets like the airports, seaports, train stations, bus terminals, market places, embassies, schools and places of worship.

“Everyone should report suspicious movements to the police for prompt response. People should avoid crowded areas and reduce unnecessary travels.”

For security expert, Christopher Oji, “U.S. does not warn for talking sake. Its intelligence cannot be faulted; so, the Federal Government should take the warning seriously. It should, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on security, not only in Abuja, but all over the country.

“The police, army and other security agencies should be placed on the alert. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should begin enlightenment campaign to educate people, especially in the rural areas, to report suspicious movement to the nearest security agency or their village heads.”

MEANWHILE, the police has reassured Nigerians and other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the U.S. embassy’s security advisory, which was issued, widely circulated and published in the media, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.

Police spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said: “A review of the advisory is necessary because the police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, there is no cause for alarm, as all hands are on deck to nip threats in the bud.”

“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, has, however, ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), heads of tactical squads domiciled in the FCT, and other state command CPs to re-strategise security management within their jurisdictions, as the Force Headquarters (FHQ) will continually avail them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.”