The UK government has issued an alert to its nationals about impending terrorist threats in Nigeria.
In a statement on Monday, the UK Government stated that attacks might be indiscriminate and directed against western interests.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists.”
The warning comes in the wake of a security advisory issued by the US Embassy on Sunday, which warned that there is a higher danger of terrorist strikes in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
Following the warnings, the British High Commission in Abuja declared that it will only be open to business-critical staff.
It advised BHC Abuja UKB parents not to send their kids to school.
“On Monday 24 October, British High Commission Abuja (BHC) will be open for Business Critical staff only. All colleagues wishing to travel to BHC should seek authorization from the Line Manager/ Block Leads, and in advance of travel.
Abuja - Nigeria.
"On Monday 24 October, BHC Abuja UKB
parents are advised strongly not to send children to schools.
More detail will follow later today (Monday) from DHC Gill Atkinson”
Adequate precautionary measures are being taken - DSS.
According to the Department of State Services (DSS), adequate precautions are being taken to make the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other regions of Nigeria secure.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, the agency said, “The DSS has received several inquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22.
“The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.
“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.
“Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.”
Nigerian Police Force reviews the US security advisory.
The Nigerian Police said it would review the security advisory issued by the. US Embassy in Abuja to nip any threat in the bud.
A statement on Monday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba
said, "The Nigeria Police Force hereby reassures Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja's security advisory that was issued, widely disseminated, and published by the media on October 23rd, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja."
"A review of the advisory is necessary because 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 collectively nip threats in the bud.
IGP Usman Alkali Baba.
"In furtherance of his zeal and strategies to decimate activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the FCT and other parts of the country, and to analyze and de-escalate threats gathered from various intelligence at the Force’s disposal, U.S advisory inclusive, the IGP has announced the immediate commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa”
“It will hold within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters, Abuja, between Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th of October 2022.
“The exercise will involve diversion of traffic, use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, and is designed to improve interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes.
“The NPF thereby urges the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.
“The IGP, therefore, reiterates the commitment of his administration to ensuring the safety of lives and property within the country, via the effective deployment of tactical and operational assets for effective intelligence gathering and proactive policing.
“He further reassures Nigerians of a safe and secured country for all.”
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